Two Types of 'Free' Visits for Medicare Patients
Insight Family Health provides a high level of service with every Medicare patient's visit; allocating one hour for first visits and 40 minutes for follow ups. We will also see you as often as necessary according to your health needs. These visits are much longer and more comprehensive then any standard Medicare defined visits.
However patients with ONLY TRADITIONAL MEDICARE, who do not have full coverage, may be interested in two types of free visits that are pre-designated by Medicare as free. These visits are more limited in scope then a normal visit to our office but offer a great and economical option for such patient's health needs.
Types of Medicare Defined Free Visits:
[1] Welcome to Medicare Exams
[2] Medicare Annual Wellness Visits
[1] Welcome to Medicare Exams
Welcome to Medicare Exam, also known as the Initial Preventive Physical Exam (IPPE), is a one-time preventive visit for new Medicare beneficiaries. This visit is covered by Medicare within the first 12 months of enrollment and is designed to help establish a preventive care baseline for your health moving forward, it includes:
1. Health History: Review your medical and social history related to your health.
2. Information: Give you information about preventive services, including certain screenings, vaccines (like flu, pneumococcal, and other recommended immunizations).
3. Vitals: Take height, weight, BMI, and blood pressure and give you a simple vision test.
4. Basic Physical Exam: may include checking your heart, lungs, and other vital signs.
5. Screening for Diseases: conditions like depression, obesity, cognitive impairment.
6. Counseling: Guidance on healthy lifestyle, diet, exercise, and smoking cessation.
7. Referral to Specialists: Give you referrals for screenings or specialist care
8. Advanced Directive: Offer to talk with you about creating advance directives.
9. Checklist: advise on screenings, shots, and other preventive services.
Things to know:
When you make your appointment, let your doctor’s office know you'd like to schedule your “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit.
[2] Medicare Annual Wellness Visits
What is a Medicare Annual Wellness visit?
A Medicare annual wellness visit is a yearly health planning visit, not an exam.
Am I Eligible for a Annual Wellness Visit?:
Available to anyone who has Medicare Part B. Because this visit is to discuss your general health and wellness, it might not take place in an exam room.
What will happen at my Medicare annual wellness visit?
During the visit, you and your clinician will work together to create a plan that helps you stay healthy and avoid getting sick. Your visit doesn’t include a physical exam, but can still to talk to the clinician about any health concerns you have.
Can I also get an exam at the same time as my Wellness Visit?
Yes, you can schedule your annual wellness visit, and a separate visit for an exam or health problem, on the same day, but they will count as two separate services.
How much does a Medicare annual wellness visit cost?
Medicare annual wellness visits are fully covered (free) under Medicare Part B. You will not have to pay coinsurance, co-payments, or a deductible.
Things to know:: If you get other tests not normally given at an annual wellness visit, you may be charged for them. These include treatments for a condition you already have.
*Note: Welcome to Medicare Exams and Annual Wellness visits are only free for the Welcome Exam or the Wellness Visit, if you combine such a visit with treatment of an existing health problem you or Medicare may be charged for the treatment.
Wellness Visits: Included & Not Included
