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Your First Medicare Preventive Visit

The Welcome to Medicare preventive visit is a one-time appointment you can choose to receive when you are new to Medicare. The aim of the visit is to promote general health and help prevent diseases.

Eligibility

Medicare Part B covers your one-time Welcome to Medicare preventive visit. Note that you must receive this visit within the first 12 months of your Part B enrollment.

Covered services

During the course of your Welcome to Medicare preventive visit, your provider should:

  • Check your height, weight, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and vision
  • Review your medical and social history
  • Review your potential for depression and other mental health conditions
  • Review your ability to function safely in the home and community
  • Provide you with education, counseling, and referrals related to your risk factors and other health needs
  • Give you a checklist and/or written plan with information about other preventive services you may need

The Welcome to Medicare preventive visit is not a head-to-toe physical. This visit is also separate from the Annual Wellness Visit (AWV), which you can choose to receive once each year.

Costs

Original Medicare covers the Welcome to Medicare preventive visit at 100% of the Medicare-approved amount when you receive the service from a participating provider. This means you pay nothing (no deductible or coinsurance). Medicare Advantage Plans are required to cover this visit without applying deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance when you see an in-network provider and meet Medicare’s eligibility requirements for the service.

During the course of your preventive visit, your provider may discover and need to investigate or treat a new or existing problem. This additional care is considered diagnostic, meaning your provider is treating you because of certain symptoms or risk factors. Medicare may bill you for any diagnostic care you receive during a preventive visit.

© Medicare Rights Center. Used with permission.

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG, LLC, is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright FMG Suite.

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