topic Re: Question for Medicare People in Wellness

Question for Medicare People

BalletBabe — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 00:56:46 GMT

What is the purpose of this Welcome to Medicare exam. Seriously???

Re: Question for Medicare People

Q4u — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 01:06:56 GMT

@BalletBabe wrote:
What is the purpose of this Welcome to Medicare exam. Seriously???

"The "Welcome to Medicare" physical exam is a one-time, preventive physical exam Medicare covers within the first 12 months that you have Medicare Part B. The visit will include a thorough review of your health, along with education and counseling about the preventive services you need, like certain screenings, shots, ..."

https://www.medicare.gov/people-like-me/new-to-medicare/welcome-to-medicare-visit.html

It's just a general evaluation/physical exam by your doctor that is fully covered by Medicare.... kind of like a baseline evaluation at the time you're starting Medicare. No biggee and you're probably getting a yearly exam anyway....

Re: Question for Medicare People

SXMGirl — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 01:10:03 GMT

@BalletBabe, if you are asking about the one at your doctor's office, then I would say that it is just government intrusion. The one that they gave me was a huge questionnaire and my doctor's assistant asked the questions. I told her exactly what I thought of this and apparently so did everyone else who were asked questions. I told her that my response was NO to all of the questions. Some people actually refused to answer. This does not affect your Medicare in any way.

Let me also say that you will get calls every year for this test. It is not considered part of your yearly or twice-yearly checkup with your doctor.

Keep in mind that these are just my opinions about government interference.

Re: Question for Medicare People

BalletBabe — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 01:20:23 GMT

Well I am kind of aggravated by this. First off I went in today to get results for a 6 month ck and I just had all my blood work done. Now he wants me to have this in June? WHY He also said something about an EKG and /ultra sound. I am having no problems. I called United healthcare and they said that is not part of the exam. Seems like a money maker to me.

Like what kind of questions? I agree the Government needs to stay out of my healthcare. argh!

Re: Question for Medicare People

Katcat1 — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 01:23:19 GMT

I have a yearly exam that is free that is quite comprehensive. Memory is checked, various questions are asked about your health, eye exam is offered by an Optamalogist, a brief sight test is given but at the Optamalogist gives a full screening of the eyes. Humana manages all my health needs for Medicare so I only deal with Humana. I have Humana Gold Plus which is an HMO.

Re: Question for Medicare People

BalletBabe — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 01:55:17 GMT

@SXMGirl I totally agree with you and he said they ask a bunch of questions. Well he knows all about me, I am his patient. Seriously I have better things to do with my time. I go to the DR 2 times a year and that is it. Haven't seen a Dr for being sick in 16 years. I have thyroid issues that he cks and I am also getting sick of the fasting blood work every 6 months. I am not on any meds for cholesterol. He said it is all good so why do I have to do this every 6 months. These Dr's aggravate me.

Re: Question for Medicare People

Evie2004 — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 01:28:58 GMT

@SXMGirl wrote:
@BalletBabe, if you are asking about the one at your doctor's office, then I would say that it is just government intrusion. The one that they gave me was a huge questionnaire and my doctor's assistant asked the questions. I told her exactly what I thought of this and apparently so did everyone else who were asked questions. I told her that my response was NO to all of the questions. Some people actually refused to answer. This does not affect your Medicare in any way.

Let me also say that you will get calls every year for this test. It is not considered part of your yearly or twice-yearly checkup with your doctor.

Keep in mind that these are just my opinions about government interference.

This is not a test..it is a Dr's appointment & officially, it is your first visit with your PCP, after Medicare becomes your primary insurance provider..assuming that you see your Dr yearly for a physical, the next year the visit (under Medicare) is called your wellness visit..

I was never asked to fill out a questionnaire 4 years ago..& don't understand the intrusion comment. It is a good idea that you mention that this is my "welcome to Medicare" visit when the medical ass't, nurse, to whomever checks you in, prior to seeing your Dr.

Re: Question for Medicare People

BalletBabe — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 01:53:21 GMT

@Evie2004 I realize that this is a wellness exam. I do not see why it is needed. Like I said I just saw him today. I never go for a full physical. I go every 6 months to get my rx refills and that is it. I don't believe in Physicals. I see too many people die a week after getting a clean bill of health.

He did say they have a bunch of questions that they ask. He knows me as I have been seeing him for 6 years.

Re: Question for Medicare People

BalletBabe — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 02:06:20 GMT

@Q4u wrote:
@BalletBabe wrote:
What is the purpose of this Welcome to Medicare exam. Seriously???

"The "Welcome to Medicare" physical exam is a one-time, preventive physical exam Medicare covers within the first 12 months that you have Medicare Part B. The visit will include a thorough review of your health, along with education and counseling about the preventive services you need, like certain screenings, shots, ..."

https://www.medicare.gov/people-like-me/new-to-medicare/welcome-to-medicare-visit.html

It's just a general evaluation/physical exam by your doctor that is fully covered by Medicare.... kind of like a baseline evaluation at the time you're starting Medicare. No biggee and you're probably getting a yearly exam anyway....

Thanks for the information. Seriously wewent over all of this stuff today. He made the comment to me that it gives him a better grade. In other words they like the Dr to do this. That is his problem. He has all the informtaion you just mentioned. Then he said someting about a ekg and ultra sound. I don't think so. Till I have a problem leave me alone. Those tests are not covered according to AARP under the wellness exam. I am not sure what he is trying to pull. $$$$$$$ I had a full blood work done last week and he went over all results which were all good.

Re: Question for Medicare People

proudlyfromNJ — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 02:08:44 GMT

My doctor has never asked for a full,exam. When I went on Medicare, I found a Dr and went. She did blood work and I go every three months as bloodwork showed meds were needed.

I get stress test, EKGs and a few other tests. Medicare pays for everything. I continue to go every three months as my numbers show that I should. Otherwise I wouldn't.

Re: Question for Medicare People

BalletBabe — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 02:14:44 GMT

@proudlyfromNJ wrote:
My doctor has never asked for a full,exam. When I went on Medicare, I found a Dr and went. She did blood work and I go every three months as bloodwork showed meds were needed.

I get stress test, EKGs and a few other tests. Medicare pays for everything. I continue to go every three months as my numbers show that I should. Otherwise I wouldn't.

I called United healthcare when I got home and they said these tests are not included in the wellness exam. I am burned out with Dr's. I went through so much with my hubby that I don't even want to go in. I had to drag myself in there today. The last thing I needed to hear is he would like to see me for this welcome to Medicare beginning of June? Sorry I am not going back in there in June.

Re: Question for Medicare People

BalletBabe — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 02:25:00 GMT

@Katcat1 I seriously hope they don't check my memory or I am doomed. LOL

Re: Question for Medicare People

151949 — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 02:35:56 GMT

I have been on a tear about not having to go to the doctor too often.I waited a year since my last wellness visit and had blood work done - he gives me a year of my Rx anyway - so I try very hard to only see him once a year unless I'm feeling ill. He knows I feel this way and he doesn't push it. Before I started this I was seeing him every few months for absolutely no reason - so he & I discussed it and now - once a year.

Re: Question for Medicare People

Mistreatedbycs — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 02:49:25 GMT

The last 15 years of my mom's life I was involved with her healthcare and most of you are correct, nothing has changed, the doctors know what is covered and what is not, they know you have supplemental healthcare and trust me, they know how to order up everything and charge.

Yes, you look at it that we should all be aware of being proactive when we get older but also the doctors also know how to use the system.

Food for thought, next time you or your loved one goes from a hospital into a rehab center for pt, ask if pain meds are being filled. I would say most patients and/or loved ones do not know that with their meds comes a script for pain meds if you need it or not. Why? I was told that it's too hard to get a doctor to write a script in the rehab facility and get it filled when a patient might need one. I said really? My mom had issues that were unrelated to pain and she got a script written from the hospital doctors everytime she went into a rehab center. Another scam and added expense for billing medicare.

Re: Question for Medicare People

BalletBabe — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 02:52:54 GMT

@151949 wrote:
I have been on a tear about not having to go to the doctor too often.I waited a year since my last wellness visit and had blood work done - he gives me a year of my Rx anyway - so I try very hard to only see him once a year unless I'm feeling ill. He knows I feel this way and he doesn't push it. Before I started this I was seeing him every few months for absolutely no reason - so he & I discussed it and now - once a year.

I am with you 100%. One of the meds I take he has to see me every 6 months. I can handle that, but I don't see any reason why I need to go back there in June and then again in Sept. I started going to him like I said about 6 years ago now. We had a visit very similiar to what I am reading about. He knows family history and all my meds because he is my only Dr. I called United healthCare and they said that it is offered, but you don't have to do it. They will run you in there for everything if you let them. I Know some people like going to the Dr. NOT ME. I am healthy, physically active, not overweight, never smoked or drank or took any drugs. My blood work was excellent today-----So leave me alone. LOL

Re: Question for Medicare People

Katcat1 — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 03:20:24 GMT

@BalletBabe, I never had a exam for Medicare. I only have it through my insurance. I never use my Medicare card only my Humana card. Good luck.

Re: Question for Medicare People

BalletBabe — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 03:50:44 GMT

@Mistreatedbycs You bet they do! I did billing in a Dr's office years ago. They know exactly what to do. I cannot imagine what it is like today!

Re: Question for Medicare People

NickNack — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 09:41:35 GMT

I started Medicare last year and did not have the Welcome to Medicare exam. I read about it and didn't think it was necessary. I had just had an annual exam a few months earlier, so I just waited until this year and had a Wellness exam. I have an exam once a year with blood work. I do take a few medications but don't need to see her more than once a year. I have had EKG's and ultrasounds at times, and I'm fine with that. BalletBabe, I would just not do the Welcome to Medicare exam if you don't want to. My doctor didn't mention it.

Re: Question for Medicare People

Snoopp — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 12:42:18 GMT

I would opt out if allowed. Gov likes to get in your business apparently.

Re: Question for Medicare People

BalletBabe — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 13:34:44 GMT

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I really appreciate your input!