Wellness

[reiki604]

While these questions seem intrusive and irrelevent to some, they are a screening tool for seniors who are not in the fortunate circumstances that the responders to this post are. They help the health care provider develop a plan for those who need it. I would never want to refuse help to an elder to needs it and if this is the best way to determine it without embarassing or demeaning others,  than so be it.

[CelticCrafter]

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@CalminHeart wrote:

Those questions may not apply to OP but they may apply to other 65 and 70 year olds.  

Why get upset about it?  Make light of it and move on.  

I'm happy to answer those questions in order to keep Medicare.  It's been a godsend for me.

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I don't think it has anything to do with being able to keep Medicare.

[Kachina624]

I had a nurse call and want to make an appointment for this thing.  I was flabbergasted by the snoopy, invasive, personal questions, pages of them, asked.  I immediately called and canceled the appointment.  Then she called and wanted to reschedule.  I told her why I canceled and  requested I not be contacted for another of these.

[pdlinda]

@PINKdogWOOD  Same with my PCP....nothing in this highly hyped "visit" and eval necessary and/or important.  Manage your health with your PCP.

I got NUMEROUS calls from my insurance co encouraging (almost demanding) I take advantage of this "freebee" (like anything's ever "free", but I degress).

Finally called CS and told them to KNOCK IT OFF!  They did.

[CelticCrafter]

To anyone getting these calls, do you have an Advantage plan?

We have a supplement and have never gotten a call.  If we did and I didn't answer it because I didn't recognize the number they never left a message. 

[deeva]

I have the same PCP now that I had before Medicare. She does the same exam as before, urine, hemocult, blood work. She listens to my heart, lungs, breast exam and pap if needed. Plus things like bone density, etc. 

I've never had to draw a face on a clock, or any other cognitive tests. 

[Nataliesgramma]

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@SeaMaiden wrote:

@Nataliesgramma My husband went for his first physical after turning 65 and starting Medicare this month.  It was the same as  his prior  Physicals....no  special questions. We also have supplemental  Premera  Blue cross coverage.  

Do you have supplemental health  coverage besides Medicare? 

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Yes...through Unitedhealthcare...

[chlema]

I did the wellness exam last month, pretty much the same as when I see my primary every 6 months with the exception of some added questions, none of which I took offense to.    I did have to draw the clock with the hands at 3:45 and then the doctor gave me 3 words to remember.  Thirty minutes or so later I had to repeat them.  Apple, table, penny - see I still remember them lol.  (She loved my clock!)  She also mentioned my TNR on both knees and timed me when I walked about 10 feet and back.

[Mindy D]

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@Deb665 wrote:

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.  

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@Deb665 @ This test can alert a doctor to the possibility of pending neurological damage due to vascular problems or of neurological or cognitive problems that already exist. If you cannot draw a clock face correctly it can indicate brain damage from a stroke or dementia or other cognitive impairment. My sister in law has recovered from a small stroke but she was left with parietal lobe damage and she can only draw half the clock. Her clock is not circular. She's still brilliant but she struggles. 

[kingtut]

I live in a retirement community and use their doctors.  just had that horrible wellness check=up  and can't help feeling they are recruiting for their nursing home. == as far as i can see, most of the questions are psychological and not connected to physical at all.

Do other people on medicare actually get a physical each year?  my doctor expects me to go every few months - including the first day our state allowed actual doctors visits in June.  As far as i can see he just gets a lot of lab tests, i am not given the results although i ask for them, then takes blood pressure and usually increases blood pressure medicine.  I have never had any other tests == cardiogram, colonoscopy, mammogram etc.  they don' t even look down my throat.  i think i have digestive issues and several people in my family died from intestinal cancer or divirticulitis but they just tell me to eat more bulk.  my former doctor many miles away would send me to a gastroenterologist but not here.  

should i try to change doctors?

sh