Many Medicare beneficiaries mistaken their yearly Wellness visit for a physical exam and are surprised when they are billed for services that aren’t covered by Medicare that were provided during the Wellness visit. The Wellness visit is basically a planning session between you and your doctor where you go over your overall health to determine a plan to aid in preventing future illnesses. It is not a physical exam, which is not covered by Medicare.
To avoid being charged for services during this visit, don’t address specific physical concerns that would prompt your doctor to order additional tests. Rather, address these issues in a separate appointment targeted to the particular ailment that you are having. That way, you avoid any surprise billing that might occur during you Wellness visit.
At your Wellness visit you may be asked to fill out a Health Risk Assessment to identify risk factors and determine your current state of health. Your height, weight, blood pressure and other vital statistics will be recorded, and your doctor will review your family medical history. Other services might include a cognitive exam and guidance on medical screenings and recommended vaccinations.