Question for Medicare People - Page 3

Q4u · ‎03-17-2010

@Evie2004 wrote:
@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.
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.

I never received a questionnaire either and also don't understand the intrusion comment as nothing has been intrusive (for me) since starting Medicare. Interesting it should vary....

*~"Never eat more than you can lift......" Miss Piggy~*

Q4u · ‎03-17-2010

@BalletBabe wrote:
@Q4u wrote:
@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....
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.

White it's obvious that you have been diligent in getting yourself to the doctor and doing what's needed, I suspect that not everyone does and probably more do not than do.... so perhaps, in order to fulfill the need for a baseline, Medicare encourages doctors to do this at the onset and yearly. If the tests are not covered and the person feels they are not needed... refuse them, they aren't required or even needed unless something is wrong. Also, you're right that the Doctor's "grade" from Medicare is his problem.

*~"Never eat more than you can lift......" Miss Piggy~*

ALRATIBA · ‎07-15-2016

I ignore all those things. I don't to annual exams. I see the doctor when I have an issue.

Q4u · ‎03-17-2010

I also have to go about every 3 - 6 months due to Diabetes, but found that my blood work (before Medicare) was running $300 through the Drs. Office. We have an independent clinic here that does blood work, hearing tests, etc. and for $90 I get all the same tests (on my dime but deductible) that the Office does. Not only that but they draw the blood better, have never had an issue finding a vein, takes 2 minutes and I get the results before the Dr. does on line in about two days and through the mail in about four days. There are comparisons from the last draws and they highlight what is over and under normal! I've taught myself what I should be seeing and walk in and give my Doctor a copy of the results.... I've been very happy doing it this way and my doctor has no problem with it at all.

The last time I went to the Drs. Office for a blood draw, (I'm Diabetic) so I have to fast until the draw. I go in very early to have this done. I was left sitting waiting for someone to take the blood and when they finally came in (they would come in and out of the room several times) and tried, they were chasing the vein all over my arm (tried two arms)... it was awful and painful AND I was starting to feel sick from my blood sugar dropping. After a total of 45 minutes I finally said that if she couldn't take the blood in the next couple of tries... I would have to eat something and come back another time.... amazingly she finally got it!

*~"Never eat more than you can lift......" Miss Piggy~*

Sassealassea · ‎11-30-2010

It's interesting to read different views on this subject. I think there are some folks who are newly eligible for Medicare Part B that may have either been uninsured or underinsured and therefore could benefit from a wellness exam. The "Welcome" is not mandatory so those of us who do not wish to take advantage of one time exam need not fret. I look at it as a positive for both patient and society in general. Health care costs for everyone stay lower if we work toward preventative medicine rather than paying for astronomical treatment on conditions left undiagnosed when it's often too late.

noodleann · ‎06-10-2015

@BalletBabe, I have a suggestion for you, and for anyone who doesn't think a test or procedure the doctor wants to order is needed, or even wonders.

Simply ask him or her, "How is this medically necessary?"

They're not going to answer, "Well, it's not, but I'm funding my vacay to Tahiti this August," but it might turn out that it's justified by something they've seen and haven't discussed with you. That's not good, since they should put you in the picture completely, but at least you know why. You can gather further facts to see whether you agree with the doctor's decision on sending you for whatever.

If the doctor can't justify it, or gives you blather about an "abundance of caution" or "studies show blah, blah, blah," you can go home and do an internet search on the problem he/she has described and see what others feel is the best way to proceed.

cherry · ‎03-09-2010

An annual physical saved my husbands life

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

I think it was added to Medicare because so many people did not have health insurance and haven't been to the doctor for a wellness visit in years. It ai a nice addition for these people..

if you don't need it, just skip over it.

BalletBabe · ‎03-05-2011

@noodleann That don't work for me because they think a colonoscopy is necessary. I DO NOT, AND WILL NOT HAVE IT DONE. I am so not getting flu or phenumonia shots either. I haven't been sick for 16 years. I do my labs and my Mammogram and they always do the BP weight etc. Go over all meds. Until I have a problem, I am not interested.

Last Phenumonia shot I got my arm swelled and I could not lift it for two weeks. He told me that was a reaction. Now for some reason, that is not important. Last year I broke out in hives after the flu shot. I am done. No more.

noodleann · ‎06-10-2015

@BalletBabe wrote:
@noodleann That don't work for me because they think a colonoscopy is necessary. I DO NOT, AND WILL NOT HAVE IT DONE. I am so not getting flu or phenumonia shots either. I haven't been sick for 16 years. I do my labs and my Mammogram and they always do the BP weight etc. Go over all meds. Until I have a problem, I am not interested.

Last Phenumonia shot I got my arm swelled and I could not lift it for two weeks. He told me that was a reaction. Now for some reason, that is not important. Last year I broke out in hives after the flu shot. I am done. No more.

I had an unpleasant reaction to the first pneumonia shot I got, too, but my doctor was concerned about my tendency toward infection and wanted me to get another a few years later. She ordered the "baby shot," which is given to children. Didn't feel it and didn't get sick for the two days afterward as I had before. I prefer the shot to having pneumonia.

I've had documented influenza twice. It is very frightening because you get sick so quickly, and I ran a very high fever and just could not wake up. A friend had to drag me to the ER. Took months to fully recover my energy. If you ever get it, you may change your mind, and hopefully by then they'll have a flu shot formulation that agrees with you.

If the doctor feels a colonoscopy is necessary, I'm assuming it's because of something in your personal or family history that suggests there's an increased risk of colon cancer. Or if you did an occult test and it came back positive, that's another reason. What's not justified, IMO, is screening based on age alone. That isn't "necessary." But you didn't specify.

If, though, there are serious reasons for the doctor wanting you to have this test and you still refuse to get it, you could expect the doctor to release you as a patient and refuse to see you in the future. It doesn't sound as if you'd mind, but be aware that getting another PCP may not be easy.