Wellness

[Nataliesgramma]

I just had my first one and I just felt it was a waste of time for me.I thought it would be more of a physical type appointment, but it was just a bunch of questions like ....have I fallen in the last year....do I have throw rugs in my house....do I feel threatened at home...would I have a good quality of life if I lost my eyesight......

 Maybe it is more relevant for older Seniors, but I didn't see any benefit....

I felt like I took up the Drs time when he could have been seeing someone who really needed to be seen..

[ID2]

I'm only asked those required questions in the questionnaire I fill out before my appt. My doctor is always very thorough. Maybe you need to change your doctor? 

[RealtyGal2]

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@Nataliesgramma wrote:

I just had my first one and I just felt it was a waste of time for me.I thought it would be more of a physical type appointment, but it was just a bunch of questions like ....have I fallen in the last year....do I have throw rugs in my house....do I feel threatened at home...would I have a good quality of life if I lost my eyesight......

 Maybe it is more relevant for older Seniors, but I didn't see any benefit....

I felt like I took up the Drs time when he could have been seeing someone who really needed to be seen..

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My doctor takes blood, sends me for a mammogram and a pap smear, a bone density test, and sometimes a colonoscopy. I have had 2 doctors since I have been on Medicare and they have both given me a regular physical. I don't recall my doctor asking me any of those questions. Maybe try another doctor who has a better understanding of Medicare..

[jackthebear]

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@Nataliesgramma wrote:

I just had my first one and I just felt it was a waste of time for me.I thought it would be more of a physical type appointment, but it was just a bunch of questions like ....have I fallen in the last year....do I have throw rugs in my house....do I feel threatened at home...would I have a good quality of life if I lost my eyesight......

 Maybe it is more relevant for older Seniors, but I didn't see any benefit....

I felt like I took up the Drs time when he could have been seeing someone who really needed to be seen..

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those are the Welcome to Medicare questions,  standard, 

Dr get paid to ask them 

[the geeger]

I'm 74 and I totally agree, This annual Medicare physical is a sham!  Yes, they ask questions and this is supposed to analyze your state of health. The doctor comes in after the questionaire is completed.  Don't look at anything but your blood results.  No urine sample, no other examination.  Remember is is dictated by the federal government.  I like my PA and Dr. so changing would not change anything.

[on the bay]

@Nataliesgramma -

I've often thought they were a waste of time as well.

Anything beyond just general things that a nurse or cna would do before seeing a doctor, is not part of a "medicare wellness."

Many offices do not make this clear, that it is not a physical where the doctor takes blood or other lab tests. That would be my objection that they do not let you know because not every insurance company will cover all of these tests.

Below is a good reference for those being encouraged to have a "medicare wellness visit."

"Well," you might ask "what's the difference?" During a Medicare annual wellness visit, the provider will measure height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure. ... Any blood work or lab tests that may be part of a physical exam, are also not included under a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit.Sep 28, 2017"

Come to think of it, you could do all these with your own at home visit

yourself and pay yourself the over $100 or whatever dollars and save yourself the drive and time and visit, especially now! Ask the questions of yourself, get a blood pressure cuff if you don't already have one, you know your height and weight anyway or most do. I really don't get why they have these at all.

[PINKdogWOOD]

@Nataliesgramma   Kind of sounds like you are just now of the age for medicare signup. They freaked me out when I first signed up too and tried to pull this on me too. I contacted my own PCP about this and he laughed - at them. Said this is not at all necessary for them to 'con' us into this with them.

They are not your PCP. Schedule your own wellness with your own Dr. They know nothing of your medical history, cannot do anything for you except what they did - waste your time and freak you out.

[Deb665]

Along with the questions , I had to draw a clock face and make it read 10:45!  I felt rather insulted at some of the questions.  

[Sunshine Kate]

I called Medicare about this wellness check.  It is NOT mandatory.  I just ignore it.  I would rather a doctor spend time with someone that really needs to see a doctor. 

[tototwo]

I get a letter from Medicare about once a year telling me that it's time for my Medicare checkup.  I've gone a couple times - it's free! - and most of the questions are testing for Alzheimers and other signs of declining mental abilities.  Then they check vital signs, etc.  It's not done by my regular physician, but at a Medicare clinic in my physian's building.  Not mandatory.  I think it's a good idea, tho.