Wellness

[BalletBabe]

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

[Q4u]

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@BalletBabe wrote:

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

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"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....   

[SXMGirl]

@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. 

[BalletBabe]

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!

[Katcat1]

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. 

[BalletBabe]

@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.  

[Evie2004]

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@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. 

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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.

[BalletBabe]

@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.  

[BalletBabe]

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@Q4u wrote:

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@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....   

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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. 

[proudlyfromNJ]

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.