Medicare Annual Wellness Visit: What It Is and Why You Should Use It
The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is a free preventive benefit that most beneficiaries never use. Here is what it includes, how it differs from a physical exam, and why it is worth scheduling every year.
Medicare Annual Wellness Visit: What It Is and Why You Should Use It
The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) is one of Medicare's most valuable -- and most underused -- preventive benefits. It is completely free: no copay, no deductible. Yet fewer than 20% of eligible Medicare beneficiaries use it each year.
What the Annual Wellness Visit Is
The AWV is a preventive visit focused on health assessment, risk identification, and preventive planning -- not treatment of existing conditions. It is designed to help you and your doctor create a personalized prevention plan.
What the AWV includes:
- Review of your medical and family history
- Review of your current medications and supplements
- Blood pressure, height, weight, and BMI measurement
- Cognitive assessment (screening for dementia and cognitive impairment)
- Depression screening
- Fall risk assessment
- Functional ability assessment (hearing, vision, ability to perform daily activities)
- Review of your advance directives (living will, healthcare surrogate)
- Personalized health advice and referrals
- A written prevention plan
What the Annual Wellness Visit Is NOT
The AWV is not a comprehensive physical exam. It does not include:
- A head-to-toe physical examination
- Routine blood work (cholesterol, blood sugar, complete blood count)
- Diagnosis or treatment of existing conditions
If you need a physical exam or treatment for a condition, that is a separate visit -- billed differently and subject to cost-sharing.
The "Welcome to Medicare" Preventive Visit
In addition to the annual AWV, Medicare covers a one-time "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit in the first 12 months of Part B enrollment. This visit includes:
- Review of your medical history
- Height, weight, blood pressure, and vision screening
- Review of potential risk factors
- Education and counseling
- Referrals for other covered preventive services
Cost: Free -- no copay, no deductible.
Preventive Services Ordered at the AWV
The AWV itself is free -- but if your doctor orders additional services during the visit (blood tests, EKG, etc.), those services may have separate cost-sharing. To avoid surprise bills:
- Ask your doctor before the visit what will be included
- Clarify whether any additional services will be ordered and what they will cost
- If you want to keep the visit free, ask your doctor to limit it to the AWV components
How to Schedule Your Annual Wellness Visit
Call your primary care doctor's office and specifically ask for the "Medicare Annual Wellness Visit." This is important -- if you just ask for a "checkup" or "physical," the office may schedule a different type of visit that has cost-sharing.
Frequency: Once every 12 months (after the first AWV, which must be at least 12 months after your Welcome to Medicare visit).
Making the Most of Your AWV
Bring a complete medication list: Include all prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements with dosages.
Bring a family health history: Heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other conditions in close relatives are relevant to your prevention plan.
Discuss your concerns: The AWV is a good time to raise concerns about memory, balance, mood, or other issues you've noticed.
Review your advance directives: If you don't have a living will or healthcare surrogate designation, ask your doctor for guidance.
Ask about recommended screenings: Based on your age, sex, and risk factors, ask which cancer screenings, vaccines, and other preventive services you should be getting.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
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About the Author
William Gray
Independent Medicare BrokerUS Air Force Veteran · Florida Medicare Specialist
William Gray is an independent Medicare insurance broker based in Daytona Beach and Palm Coast, FL. A US Air Force veteran (A-10 crew chief, Germany), he spent years in corporate insurance before going independent to serve Florida seniors directly. He has helped more than 1,000 clients across Northeast Florida compare Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D plans — always at no cost to the client.