topic Re: Wellness Appointment in Wellness

Wellness Appointment

chlema — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 01:08:48 GMT

My doctor's nurse recommended that I make an appointment for a wellness exam. She said Medicare no longer covers a physical but instead covers this. Said you meet with a nurse and answer lots of questions. I wonder what else they want to know since they already have my history. Anyone do this? Seems odd to me.

Re: Wellness Appointment

Spacrazy — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 01:12:12 GMT

Yep, every year.

Re: Wellness Appointment

chlema — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 01:16:42 GMT

What all does it entail? Nurse really didn't give me any information.

Re: Wellness Appointment

Kachina624 — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 01:15:35 GMT

I suppose this is the current method being used to reduce Medicare benefits for seniors.

Re: Wellness Appointment

SilleeMee — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 01:28:56 GMT

I get a wellness check every year. The Affordable Care Act states you get one free one each year. Mine includes some blood work (cholesterol screening) and I ask for more tests which I pay for out of pocket...A1c is one of them. The doctor checks bp, listens to your breathing and looks inside your ears. I lay down on a table and the doctor feels my belly for whatever. After that I can ask questions about what may be concerning me and also ask what else would I need to stay healthy. Drugs and vaccines are discussed if needed as well as any other things that may need attention like a bone density scan, mammo or pelvic exam. These are things I discuss and is not part of the check. The wellness check is designed to bring attention to your health concerns and to discuss a plan of action for the future. Wellness exams are focused on preventative rather than diagnostic medicine.

Re: Wellness Appointment

jannabelle1 — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 01:32:18 GMT

It's similar to an annual physical and is covered by Medicare. Mine is with my primary physician (not her nurse). The difference is that there is a question/answer form that is completed regarding a person's ability to take care of themselves and emotional health. My doctor knows me well enough to not belabor the form. It's not a big deal for me IMO.

Re: Wellness Appointment

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 01:36:21 GMT

@chlema I would take a look at your medicare and you book. I think it tells you what the 'visit' entails. You could also ask at the doctors office.

From what I understand it's not much of a visit, according to my husband, and my nurse practicioner mentioned it at my last visit...I am not medicare eligible yet but she was less than impressed with the 'wellness visit'.....I'd check it out before making the appointment.

Re: Wellness Appointment

blackhole99 — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 01:44:07 GMT

Yes, Medicare pays for 1 wellness check up every year, I don't recall if that exam includes lab work though.It's a good idea to have supplemental health insurance.

Re: Wellness Appointment

x Hedge — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 01:58:22 GMT

Mine is done by my doctor, the same as any other office visit.

Someone else checks my vitals, gets my weight, reviews my meds.

They also do the eyechart exam and discuss vaccination.

Besides the physical once over, the doc asks about mood and depression, exercise, diet.

Inquires about last time I had an eye exam.

May refer you to a specialist to address chronic or reoccurring issues.

Re: Wellness Appointment

SilleeMee — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 01:58:52 GMT

The last time I had my wellness check I asked what blood tests would be included. I was told cholesterol and diabetes screening tests were included. But I was also told that depending on your condition, for instance an existing condition or disease, there can be additional test added to your exam where some may or may not be covered by your insurance. Your provider has to assess what all need to be done in order to keep you from getting ill and that might mean they can recommend seeing a specialist or request more tests to rule things out...these based on whether or not you are basically showing a need for further care. If you appear to be in good heath then there would be no further needs.

Re: Wellness Appointment

lovesrecess — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 02:02:18 GMT

My Medicare advantage plan I have has a wellness check each year and an annual physical. The wellness check is a nurse who comes to my house and does a checklist of questions and the memory test, and vitals. He left one of the mail-in colon screening kits also.
The annual physical is in the office, involves lab work and appts set for all the screenings...mammo, bone scan, etc. the way my policy works, I pay zero for wellness visits, and pay a deductible for an office visit if I go because I am sick.

Re: Wellness Appointment

jpie — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 02:01:03 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
I get a wellness check every year. The Affordable Care Act states you get one free one each year. Mine includes some blood work (cholesterol screening) and I ask for more tests which I pay for out of pocket...A1c is one of them. The doctor checks bp, listens to your breathing and looks inside your ears. I lay down on a table and the doctor feels my belly for whatever. After that I can ask questions about what may be concerning me and also ask what else would I need to stay healthy. Drugs and vaccines are discussed if needed as well as any other things that may need attention like a bone density scan, mammo or pelvic exam. These are things I discuss and is not part of the check. The wellness check is designed to bring attention to your health concerns and to discuss a plan of action for the future. Wellness exams are focused on preventative rather than diagnostic medicine.
________

I have UHC insurance, the premium plus plan, and it covers the cost of a wellness exam once a year. The exam is exactly as you described. They also take my weight and height, discuss any medication and supplement changes. I have a lipid/cholesterol screening, comprehensive metabolic panel, and CBC with differential. Insurance doesn't cover the last two blood tests. The cost is less than $8.00 out of pocket. I'm glad I get these tests done.

When I go to my gyn doctor she also does a urine screening, and pH test, which isn't covered by insurance. She is the one that writes up the order for my annual mammogram. The cost is around $13.00.

Re: Wellness Appointment

SilleeMee — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 02:11:15 GMT

Basic lab tests are not expensive and it's best to have any ordered at the time of your wellness visit. The blood collection process and testing is compressed into one visit and that can save you money if you need additional tests not included in the wellness visit. Otherwise you would be paying more for a separate blood collection, processing and testing charges.

Re: Wellness Appointment

Tangocash — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 02:14:36 GMT

I get it done once a year, and it does include lab work. My last check up, they came to my house. They actually made a house call!!!! I loved it!!!!!

Re: Wellness Appointment

x Hedge — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 02:54:07 GMT

Rather than some sort of senior benefit reduction, this is a chance to annually meet face to face with a healthcare professional, for people who aren't sick, and otherwise wouldn't have reason to make a Dr appointment.

I can think of seniors who are either so healthy, too busy, or have other excuses to never see a doctor.

Re: Wellness Appointment

grandma r — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 03:16:28 GMT

Medicare covers a "wellness" visit yearly. What is included depends on how the doctor's office codes it. Mine is done by the doctor, but, each practice makes their own guidelines. I prefer to have my appointment in Spring or Summer. I don't see the merit in having a "wellness" visit during flu season. Most practices will not refill prescriptions unless you are seen yearly.

I say follow your instincts about going.

Re: Wellness Appointment

haddon9 — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 03:26:01 GMT

I had one last week. It was a "Welcome to Medicare Wellness checkup" though I signed up back in May, it was a long process for me to switch my PCP.

During the visit he went over my health concerns, checked my vitals and I'm having a routine blood test tomorrow, had a stress test last week ....I'm not sure it that's part of it but he wanted me to have one since my blood pressure tends to run high and I want to join a gym....he asked about routine tests, eye & dental exams.

I'm going back next week to go over the results of the stress test & blood work.

ETA: I have original Medicare with a supplement if that makes a difference.

Re: Wellness Appointment

phoenixbrd — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 05:40:23 GMT

Not interest in a "wellness" appointment (fairly usless) unless it is a wholistic (maybe naturopath) doctor that understands my lifestyle goals and would probably want to run a complete blood panel so we can validate what is happening with my body (on a consistent routine to compare the information).

Re: Wellness Appointment

qbetzforreal — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 05:37:26 GMT

From Medicaid:

The Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) is a yearly appointment with your primary care provider (PCP) to create or update a personalized prevention plan. This plan may help prevent illness based on your current health and risk factors. Keep in mind that the AWV is not a head-to-toe physical.

Re: Wellness Appointment

AuntG — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 12:33:05 GMT

My neighbor said a nurse came to the house. Diet, exercise, medications and health concerns were discussed.