Patients who have Medicare (or a Medicare Advantage Plan) as their insurance are eligible for Medicare Wellness exams. The first exam occurs your first year with the program, and is your Welcome to Medicare exam. You are then eligible for Medicare Wellness Exams every year after that. 

During your Welcome to Medicare exam, the provider will review your personal health history, and assess your health which may include taking your height, weight and blood pressure, doing a vision test, reviewing your risk for depression and falls, and discussing concerns you may have about your ability to do daily activities. You will work together to put into place a prevention plan that outlines recommended screenings and vaccinations over the next few years. 

During annual Medicare Wellness visits, your provider will once again review your health and update a prevention plan. This visit does not include discussion of new immediate health issues, such as a sore throat, or chronic conditions that may take additional time, such known high blood pressure.  While the provider may see you for these situations during the visit, there may be an additional charge required.

At your Welcome to Medicare visit or at one of your annual visits, the provider will ask you if you wish to establish an Advance Care Plan (Advance Care Directive) and advise you of the best way to do so. This legal document helps you make your wishes known if you are ever unable to speak for yourself.

It's important to have a Medicare Wellness Exam every year once you join Medicare. Please call us at 308-865-2767 to schedule yours.