Annual Wellness Visit
FREE yearly. Most seniors miss it.
What it is
- FREE yearly visit Medicare covers.
- NOT physical exam.
- Update health plan + screenings.
- Cognitive screening included.
- Fall risk assessment.
- Medication review.
- Schedule preventive screenings.
Required services covered
- Health risk assessment.
- BMI calculation.
- BP check.
- Cognitive impairment assessment.
- Depression screening.
- Functional ability screening.
- 5-10 year screening schedule.
- End-of-life planning discussion.
Schedule yours
- Call doctor — "Annual Wellness Visit, please."
- Important: SAY this term so it's coded right.
- If they call it "physical" = different (not free).
- 30-60 min visit.
- Bring meds list, family history, questions.
- Free yearly — schedule now.
Bring to visit
- List of all medications + supplements.
- List of doctors you see.
- Recent test results from specialists.
- Family medical history.
- Concerns + questions written down.
- Spouse / caregiver if helpful.
- Recent home BP readings if monitor.
Use to maximum
- Ask about ALL screenings due (mammogram, colonoscopy, etc.).
- Get vaccines updated (shingles, flu, COVID, pneumonia).
- Cognitive screening — track over years.
- Discuss falls + safety.
- Mental health — depression common, treatable.
- Advance directive — discuss + complete.
Use it. Free.
90% of Medicare beneficiaries don't use Annual Wellness Visit. Free preventive care. Often catches issues early. Schedule yearly. Ask doctor if you're not sure if you've had one. Best Medicare benefit + most missed.