Yearly Physical OH BOY - Page 2

judianne · ‎07-09-2014

Once l hit 70 , the doctor seemed to stop caring about my complaints and orders only a few lab tests . Last time l was there l said l had terrible diarrhea and maybe should be tested for an infection . He said no , many years ago l was diagnosed with a digestive issue , and he says it is just a flare up of that . How can he tell without any follow up ? I no longer get any of the common tests and procedures done like l did before l hit 70 years of age .

pdlinda · ‎10-23-2011

@judianne That doesn't sound right. I'd find another doctor.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

Medicare does not cover physicals. They cover welcome to Medicare exams and yearly wellness exams.

The wellness exam is done to access a health risk accessment.

You first fill out questioner with questions about depression, falling down, living alone, having financial difficulty and problems with dressing, bathing and eating.

It is during this wellness exam where you will be asked to draw a clock and place the hands at a certain time and the doctor will give you three words and ask to to repeat them back in order.

This exam is paid at 100% by Medicare.....free money for the doctor, so most of them do this exam. It is not mandatory.

Pearlee · ‎06-11-2011

@Carmie wrote:
Medicare does not cover physicals. They cover welcome to Medicare exams and yearly wellness exams.

The wellness exam is done to access a health risk accessment.

You first fill out questioner with questions about depression, falling down, living alone, having financial difficulty and problems with dressing, bathing and eating.

It is during this wellness exam where you will be asked to draw a clock and place the hands at a certain time and the doctor will give you three words and ask to to repeat them back in order.

This exam is paid at 100% by Medicare.....free money for the doctor, so most of them do this exam. It is not mandatory.

I've never been asked to draw a clock nor repeat words during my annual Medicare wellness exam. In my experience the "wellness exam" is the same thing as a physical. And yes, Medicare pays for it but not for a physical.

LindaSal · ‎05-15-2014

@Carmie Your first post made me laugh. DH is 71 and just did that same wellness appointment this past year. So crazy as they kept calling him and he refused it. He always goes in for his routine phyical but the mental one was a challenge getting him to comply. He was so funny about it, almost insulted by the drawing of the clock thing. LOL.......he is still sharp as a tack but I do think it's most likely needed as some may not be so lucky.

CelticCrafter · ‎03-09-2010

@LindaSal wrote:
@Carmie Your first post made me laugh. DH is 71 and just did that same wellness appointment this past year. So crazy as they kept calling him and he refused it. He always goes in for his routine phyical but the mental one was a challenge getting him to comply. He was so funny about it, almost insulted by the drawing of the clock thing. LOL.......he is still sharp as a tack but I do think it's most likely needed as some may not be so lucky.

@LindaSal I wonder if the person administering the test could draw a clock.
JMO, I think this Medicare Wellness visit is intrusive and a waste of time. The doctor gets paid more for that than a regular visit.

conlt · ‎03-16-2010

I would find another doctor. I think some health care professionals dismiss the seniors. Definitely find another doctor.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

@CelticCrafter I drew a digital clock instead of an analog clock. I was supposed to set the time at 10:10.

When told by the young lady that I drew the wrong type of clock, I told her I did that so that she could figure it out.

Most young people cannot tell time with an analog clock anymore.

I refuse to have this wellness test again. The questioner is enough to send me into a rage. I was aware of it because I have been taking my older friend to doctor appointments for years.

I had a doctor's appointment last week....I go yearly after I get blood work done. My vitamin D levels can get very low.

I had to check in online before I went. Along with the usual questions about health insurance updates were questions that I considered very invasive.

Questions like if I was having difficulty paying rent or mortgage, if I had enough money to buy food, if my house was warm or cool enough. What the heck???

I wonder what they do with this info. I just wrote RNS...rather not say on the comments.

These tests are drawn up by our government programs. The doctors are getting paid to administer these tests.

Anyone who has Medicare will be given these Wellness Exams and asked to fill out the stupid paperwork with evasive questions on it.

Patients think they are getting physicals, but they are not physicals.

I refuse to cooperate. My doctor's office doesn't even offer me the Wellness Exam anymore, but the online questions are new. I wonder if everyone is asked, or only the seniors.

granddi · ‎03-16-2010

@conlt wrote:
I would find another doctor. I think some health care professionals dismiss the seniors. Definitely find another doctor.

Yes! I hope I have found my Senior Doc. It is a university based "Center for Older Adults"

After relocating at retirement, this will be my 3rd PCP in 6 years.

They all seem to be competent and polite but not really tuned into the care of older adults.

Me on MyChart: Hi I have just tested positive for Covid and need Paxlovid/guidance. Message: make appointment

Me at Walk in: Hi I've tested positive for Covid and need Paxlovid.

Doc: Well, all it does is keep you out of the hospital.

Me: Well, that is is good idea for a 70 yo.

granddi · ‎03-16-2010

@Carmie Can we decline the wellness exam?

The questions are a waste of time, intrusive, insulting and more.

Patients are often ambushed with this "exam" thinking that we are going in for a annual visit to review medical history, meds, etc.

But instead, we get the questions that you described.

At this type of visit, the rules say a new problem cannot be discussed.

There is one question: Are you se *ually acitve? What does this even mean? I asked the doctor : what do you mean, explain this question posed to a 76 yo woman. She said " I'll say decline to answer"

Or: Do you have throw rugs? Yes, I know they are a fall hazzard. But if you bathe you probably step on to a bath mat.

Or: Are you afraid of falling? I am careful not to fall such as holding hand rails but I would not describe my actions as afraid.

Questions about food insecurity, able to pay rent, loneliness.....

At my last doc, I filled out all this on line and then answered all the questions again orally. At one point, I said "oh, I thought I had answered all these" Doc, we are just going over them now.