Annual Wellness Exams Now Covered by Medicare
EMPORIA, VA (October 27, 2011) - Medicare is helping patients in the Emporia community stay healthy, with the addition of a free annual wellness exam.
Previously, only new Medicare participants, in their first 12 months of enrollment, could take advantage of a one-time, free wellness exam – the “Welcome to Medicare” visit. Now, Medicare policy has expanded benefits to include a free annual wellness exam for all eligible participants, covered at 100 percent – meaning there is no copayment, coinsurance or deductible.
The exam is free for Medicare participants who have been covered by Medicare Part B for more than 12 months, and who have not received a “Welcome to Medicare” initial wellness exam or an annual physical, in the past 12 months.
The annual wellness exam provides your doctor with a baseline for your health and any risk factors that may need to be monitored to prevent or delay the development of chronic disease, as you age. It’s important to remember, though, that the exam differs from an annual physical, which is subject to different co-pays and deductibles.
During the Medicare annual wellness exam, your medical and family history is discussed and recorded, as well as your medication list, height, weight, body mass index, and blood pressure. You may also receive recommendations for needed immunizations and health screenings, based on your medical history and risks. Many of these screenings may help with early detection of disease.
Finally, your doctor will establish a personalized prevention plan for you that can be adapted as your health needs change over time. Your personal health plan will be updated each year at subsequent annual wellness visits.
“An annual wellness exam allows me to spend valuable time with my patients – time not available in other visit settings,” says Dr. Kyaw Zaw of Southern Virginia Medical Group. “Your primary care provider knows your medical history, including health risk factors and can work with you to maintain your best health. Many chronic conditions can be avoided -- or diagnosed early and managed more effectively – with regular, preventive medical care.”
The Medicare program offers health insurance benefits for people age 65 and older, or those individuals under age 65 who have certain disabilities or chronic diseases. Medicare has four divisions that help with various aspects of health care costs: Part A, which provides coverage for inpatient hospital care; Part B, which provides medical insurance; Part C, which consists of Medicare Advantage Plans (insurance provided by private companies that functions like a PPO or HMO), and Part D, which provides prescription drug coverage.
Ask your doctor or health care provider about the complimentary Medicare annual wellness exam. To learn more about preventive health services available through Medicare, visit www.Medicare.gov, hover over the “Manage Your Health” tab, then click on “Preventive Service Check list” for recommended screenings and tests.