Medicare Covers Your "Welcome to Medicare" Visit
Your Welcome to Medicare Visit is available for the first 12 months that you have Medicare Part B (medical insurance).
During your Welcome to Medicare visit, you speak with your health care provider about your medical and social history.
You may also receive exams of certain aspects of your physical and mental health, such as:
Counseling about certain screenings or shots you may require
Height, weight, blood pressure, and body mass index measurements
A basic vision test
A review of your risk for depression
A written plan detailing what steps for preventive care you should take
What Is Your Annual Wellness Visit?
After your one-time welcome visit, you're entitled to one annual wellness visit each year.
Your Annual Wellness Visit is a yearly check-in with your doctor where you can review or update your medical history and learn about the preventive services that could be beneficial to you.
Your Annual Wellness Visit is covered by Medicare Part B.
At your Annual Wellness Visit, you’ll meet with your doctor to develop (or update) a personalized prevention plan. This plan can help you to stay healthy, and includes:
A review of your medical history
A review of your prescription medications and providers
Height, weight, and other routine physical examinations and measurements
A screening schedule for preventive services you should undergo
And other personalized health advice
Although your Welcome to Medicare visit and your annual wellness visit are not technically physical exams, in many ways they accomplish similar things.