Wellness Appointment - Page 2

lovesrecess · ‎03-14-2010

My Medicare advantage plan I have has a wellness check each year and an annual physical. The wellness check is a nurse who comes to my house and does a checklist of questions and the memory test, and vitals. He left one of the mail-in colon screening kits also.
The annual physical is in the office, involves lab work and appts set for all the screenings...mammo, bone scan, etc. the way my policy works, I pay zero for wellness visits, and pay a deductible for an office visit if I go because I am sick.

jpie · ‎06-21-2010

@SilleeMee wrote:
I get a wellness check every year. The Affordable Care Act states you get one free one each year. Mine includes some blood work (cholesterol screening) and I ask for more tests which I pay for out of pocket...A1c is one of them. The doctor checks bp, listens to your breathing and looks inside your ears. I lay down on a table and the doctor feels my belly for whatever. After that I can ask questions about what may be concerning me and also ask what else would I need to stay healthy. Drugs and vaccines are discussed if needed as well as any other things that may need attention like a bone density scan, mammo or pelvic exam. These are things I discuss and is not part of the check. The wellness check is designed to bring attention to your health concerns and to discuss a plan of action for the future. Wellness exams are focused on preventative rather than diagnostic medicine.
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I have UHC insurance, the premium plus plan, and it covers the cost of a wellness exam once a year. The exam is exactly as you described. They also take my weight and height, discuss any medication and supplement changes. I have a lipid/cholesterol screening, comprehensive metabolic panel, and CBC with differential. Insurance doesn't cover the last two blood tests. The cost is less than $8.00 out of pocket. I'm glad I get these tests done.

When I go to my gyn doctor she also does a urine screening, and pH test, which isn't covered by insurance. She is the one that writes up the order for my annual mammogram. The cost is around $13.00.

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

Basic lab tests are not expensive and it's best to have any ordered at the time of your wellness visit. The blood collection process and testing is compressed into one visit and that can save you money if you need additional tests not included in the wellness visit. Otherwise you would be paying more for a separate blood collection, processing and testing charges.

Tangocash · ‎11-08-2019

I get it done once a year, and it does include lab work. My last check up, they came to my house. They actually made a house call!!!! I loved it!!!!!

x Hedge · ‎08-18-2016

Rather than some sort of senior benefit reduction, this is a chance to annually meet face to face with a healthcare professional, for people who aren't sick, and otherwise wouldn't have reason to make a Dr appointment.

I can think of seniors who are either so healthy, too busy, or have other excuses to never see a doctor.

grandma r · ‎10-26-2010

Medicare covers a "wellness" visit yearly. What is included depends on how the doctor's office codes it. Mine is done by the doctor, but, each practice makes their own guidelines. I prefer to have my appointment in Spring or Summer. I don't see the merit in having a "wellness" visit during flu season. Most practices will not refill prescriptions unless you are seen yearly.

I say follow your instincts about going.

haddon9 · ‎03-09-2010

I had one last week. It was a "Welcome to Medicare Wellness checkup" though I signed up back in May, it was a long process for me to switch my PCP.

During the visit he went over my health concerns, checked my vitals and I'm having a routine blood test tomorrow, had a stress test last week ....I'm not sure it that's part of it but he wanted me to have one since my blood pressure tends to run high and I want to join a gym....he asked about routine tests, eye & dental exams.

I'm going back next week to go over the results of the stress test & blood work.

ETA: I have original Medicare with a supplement if that makes a difference.

phoenixbrd · ‎03-27-2010

Not interest in a "wellness" appointment (fairly usless) unless it is a wholistic (maybe naturopath) doctor that understands my lifestyle goals and would probably want to run a complete blood panel so we can validate what is happening with my body (on a consistent routine to compare the information).

qbetzforreal · ‎08-28-2010

From Medicaid:

The Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) is a yearly appointment with your primary care provider (PCP) to create or update a personalized prevention plan. This plan may help prevent illness based on your current health and risk factors. Keep in mind that the AWV is not a head-to-toe physical.