A wellness visit is a yearly appointment to discuss your plan of preventive
care in the coming year. Medicare, Medicaid and most insurances pay for
a Wellness Visit with your physician — it’s a great way to
stay on top of health issues with preventive care!
What to Expect
During a wellness visit, you and your doctor or health care provider will
create a prevention plan based on your needs.
As part of the visit, your provider will:
Give you a health-risk assessment
This may include a questionnaire that you complete (with or without the
help of your doctor) before or during the visit that looks at your health
status, injury risks, risky behaviors and urgent health needs.
Take your medical and family history.
Make a list of your current providers, durable medical equipment (DME)
suppliers and medications
Medications include prescription medications, as well as vitamins and supplements
that you may take.
Create a written 5-10 year screening schedule or check-list
This checklist depends on your individual health status, screening history
and what age appropriate, Medicare covered, preventive services you are
eligible for.
Identify risk factors and current medical and mental health conditions
along with related current or recommended treatments.
Check your height, weight, blood pressure, and body mass index.
Screen for cognitive impairment
Cognitive impairment includes diseases such as Alzheimer’s or other
forms of dementia. Medicare does not require that physicians use a test
to screen patients. Doctors are asked to rely on their observation of
the patient or on reports by the patient and others.
Review risk factors for depression.
Review your functional ability and level of safety
This includes screening for hearing impairments and your risk of falling
Your doctor must also assess your ability to perform activities of daily
living such as bathing and dressing and also your level of safety in your home.
Give health advice and referrals to health education or preventive counseling
services or programs aimed at reducing identified risk factors and promoting wellness
These include weight loss, physical activity, smoking cessation, fall prevention,
and nutrition.
In this Medical Minute, Hannah Johnson, Nurse Practitioner at Anderson
Family Medical Center- Airpark, discusses the importance of an annual
wellness exam.
