One of the best ways to take control of your health is to see your provider for an Annual Wellness Visit (AWV). An AWV is NOT a physical exam. Instead, it is a preventive exam that takes place when you’re feeling healthy and well. Taking the time for a yearly AWV helps your provider understand what is working for you and how to best support your continued health and well-being. During an AWV you can work with your provider to create or update a personalized prevention plan based on your current health and risk factors.
For those patients on Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) for longer than 12 months, a yearly “Wellness Visit” is typically included as part of your coverage. Medicare encourages these preventive visits as a way to help prevent disease or disability. Your Part B deductible does not apply, however, you may have to pay co-insurance amount if additional tests or services are performed during the same visit which are not covered by Medicare in a preventive visit setting – for example a wart removal would not be included as part of a Wellness Visit. For more information regarding the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, please visit https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visits.