Signing up for Medicare can be a tricky process, particularly since there are varying parts of the program that apply to people from different ages and at different income levels. Determining where you fall in terms of the best program is just one part of the battle; getting the right exam is another part. This is why Medicare wellness exams can be so confusing to most.
Most people get an annual visit every 12 months or so. This is the point in which your doctor looks at your current state of health and does an overview of any medications you may be taking. The annual exam is also the time in which you talk with your doctor about potential health issues and any concerns you may have about your health. Any screenings that you might get as well as any shots you might need would normally occur at this point as well.
When you sign up for Medicare, however, you get what’s known as one of the Medicare wellness exams. These exams are dubbed as such because they are required when you sign up for Medicare Part B, sort of like an entrance exam. This exam is utilized by your doctor as a baseline for your current state of health at the time that you sign up for Medicare. The thing to remember about Medicare wellness exams is that once you get one, you cannot get another annual exam like it for 12 months. This means that if you want to get a Medicare wellness exam, you cannot try to schedule an annual appointment just a few months later. This can be worrisome to those that specifically want those thorough annual exams.
You don’t pay for Medicare wellness exams; they are covered. However, if you insist on another annual exam, then you may need to pay for it. It is also important to remember that just because you’ve had your annual exam, doesn’t mean that you are not able to go to the doctor when you aren’t feeling well or if you have a health issue about which you are worried. Medicare wellness exams are simply a start for maintaining health. The rest lies in your willingness to manage your health carefully, particularly if you are older, ask plenty of questions during these exams and do the things that your doctor instructs you to maintain good health.