Wellness

[ALRATIBA]

No! My doctor told me to avoid doctors unless I’m sick or in pain.

[maggi the cat]

Blood work is not covered because everyone does not need that. My wellness check has been slightly different each year, but for me, it's easy.

[Lipstickdiva]

I get a wellness exam every year.  It's what used to be called a physical.

My insurance is through DH and they are self-insured so ACA doesn't apply to them.  I have to pay my co-pay for the wellness exam and his insurance will not pay for certain blood tests like cholestrol or A1C which my doctor always requests so I am self-pay. 

[chrystaltree]

My friend had one of those last week.  I didn't know how it differed from a yearly physical and neither did she, this is her first year under Medicare.  The only difference for her was that it was with a nurse and not a doctor.  It was just the usual stuff and they gave her a pneumonia shot and told her to make  an appointment for her the shingles shot.  Now that I think about it, she didn't say if they did any lab work.

[Nightowlz]

When my DH had to see the doctor once he was not charged anything. The Insurance covered it all under a Wellness Appt.???

They have never billed me like that? I always pay my $25 co-pay? It's not worth all the hassle to find out why they are billing me like they do. I would imagine because they get paid more money.

I won't like it when I'm on Medicare if they want me to answer lots of questions. IMO not everything is their business.

[Mj12]

Not on Medicare but I had my Wellness Exam a few weeks ago with my PCP and I did not have an insurance co-pay - our insurance allows 1 wellness exam per year.  

[chlema]

It just seems to me that all that should be included in the 2x a year appointments that they have me going to for a bp check, prescription renewal, checking my heart and oxygen level, checking my ears  and asking if I have any concerns.   I also see a cardiologist once a year for a routine carotic test and echocardiogram.  So what more do they want lol

[SeaMaiden]

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@chlema wrote:

My doctor's nurse recommended that I make an appointment for a wellness exam.  She said Medicare no longer covers a physical but instead covers this.  Said you meet with a nurse and answer lots of questions.  I wonder what else they want to know since they already have my history.  Anyone do this?  Seems odd to me.

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why wouldn't Medical cover a yearly physical?? Than who does? Most people have a yearly physical.. if medicare does not cover this than does your secondary insurance cover it in full?  

[Twins Mom]

My DH has the doctor order the blood tests prior to visit so they can discuss results.  Makes sense to me.  

[1920712]

@Twins Mom  Getting blood work done before the exam has always worked for me too. Not only can new issues and questions be addressed, but often current tests and status can be compared with those from last year and previous years. 'Think that this is both helpful to patient and doctor. I have been very fortunate to have and respected my PCP for about 35 years.