If you have Medicare and are 65 or older, you are entitled to a free Medicare Annual Wellness (MAW) visit each year. But many people don’t know what to expect, leading to confusion and disappointment. Here’s what you need to know.
The Medicare Annual Wellness visit is not a physical exam. Many people expect their doctor to listen to their heart, check their blood pressure, or examine their body. That is not what happens during a MAW.
Instead, your MAW focuses on keeping you healthy in the future. Think of it as a planning meeting for your health, not a medical exam to address new health issues.
Your healthcare team will:
This visit is about preventing health problems before they start. No new issues will be addressed. It’s like getting a tune-up for your car before something breaks.
The MAW visit helps catch health risks early. Your healthcare team can spot warning signs and recommend screenings or lifestyle changes that might prevent serious illness down the road. This proactive approach can help you stay healthier longer.
A primary care provider at Community Hospital Clinics gives one example of how the MAW can be used as a lifesaving visit.
“Heart disease is one of leading causes of death and counts for 54% of strokes for many patients. So, uncontrolled high blood pressure is one of the vitals that we want to check, even while you are feeling well. It helps us provide guidelines for your overall health and plan accordingly. So, coming in and getting your blood pressure checked, making sure we are able to establish care with you, and getting to see what other means of care you many require in the future allows us to develop a plan of care to prevent such detrimental health complications.” Anna Grijalva, MSN, CCRN, APRN, FNP-C.
Come prepared with:
If you have new health issues and want a traditional physical exam with hands-on examination, you’ll need to schedule that separately. Your doctor’s office can help you understand what is covered and any costs involved.
The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is free with Medicare, but other services during the same appointment might have costs.
Your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is a valuable tool for staying healthy. It is a component of meeting health measurements for each patient’s needs. When you know what to expect, you can make the most of this important benefit. Don’t skip it – use it to take charge of your health.
Appointments at Community Hospital Clinics can be made in any of our primary care clinic locations in Wickenburg, Congress, Wittmann, Aguila or Yarnell, by calling 928-668-1833. Call your primary care provider’s office today to schedule your Annual Wellness Visit and start planning for a healthier future.
