Preventive care is important for helping to detect and prevent various diseases or conditions throughout one’s lifetime. These services can become especially vital as one ages.
When you start Medicare, you’re eligible to have a “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit, also called the Initial Preventive Physical Exam (IPPE). During this visit, your doctor will review your medical history and provide you with information about various preventive services.
According to a 2018 study, about
But what specifically is and isn’t included in this visit? This article explores the Welcome to Medicare visit in greater detail.
Medicare Part B covers a one-time Welcome to Medicare visit. You can complete this visit within 12 months of starting Medicare.
You won’t pay anything for your Welcome to Medicare visit unless you’re provided with non-included services, such as laboratory tests and health screenings.
Here’s what the Welcome to Medicare visit includes:
Medical and social history
Your doctor will review your medical and social history. This can include things like:
- previous illnesses, medical conditions, or surgeries you’ve experienced
- any diseases or conditions that run in your family
- medications and dietary supplements you’re currently taking
- lifestyle factors, such as your diet, level of physical activity, and history of tobacco or alcohol use
An exam
This basic exam includes:
- recording your height and weight
- calculating your body mass index (BMI)
- taking your blood pressure
- performing a simple vision test
Safety and risk factor review
Your doctor may use questionnaires or screening tools to help determine things like:
- any signs of hearing loss
- your risk for falls
- the safety of your home
- your risk for developing depression
Education
Based on the information they collect, your doctor will work to advise and inform you on a variety of topics, including:
- any recommended health screenings
- vaccinations, such as a flu shot and pneumococcal vaccine
- referrals for specialist care
- advance directives, such as whether you want to be resuscitated if your heart or breathing stops
It’s important to note that the Welcome to Medicare visit isn’t an annual physical. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) doesn’t cover annual physicals.
An annual physical is much more detailed than a Welcome to Medicare visit. In addition to taking vital signs, it can include laboratory tests or respiratory, neurological, and abdominal exams.
Some Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) plans may cover annual physicals. However, this may vary by specific plan. If you have a Part C plan, be sure to check on what’s covered before scheduling an appointment for a physical.
Yearly wellness visits
Once you’ve been using Medicare Part B for more than 12 months, it will cover a yearly wellness visit, which can be scheduled once every 12 months.
This type of visit includes most of the components of the Welcome to Medicare visit. It can be very useful for updating your medical history and care recommendations.
Additionally, a cognitive assessment is performed as part of a yearly wellness visit. This can be used to help detect conditions like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease early.
Like the Welcome to Medicare visit, you’ll need to pay for some or all of any additional screenings or tests that aren’t covered in the wellness visit.
Your doctor can perform your Welcome to Medicare visit if they accept the assignment. This means they agree to accept payment directly from Medicare at a Medicare-approved amount for the services provided during the visit.
Your doctor should let you know before they perform any services that aren’t included in the Welcome to Medicare visit. That way, you can choose if you want to receive those services at that time.
The health screenings you need may depend on several factors, such as your age, overall health, risks, and current Medicare guidelines.
Preventive care can help detect serious conditions early. Here’s what else is included in Medicare’s coverage for preventive services.
The Welcome to Medicare visit can aid your doctor in assessing your health and making care recommendations.
You can schedule your Welcome to Medicare visit within 12 months of starting Medicare. It includes taking your medical history, having a basic exam, assessing risk and safety, and making healthcare recommendations.
The Welcome to Medicare visit isn’t an annual physical, and it doesn’t include laboratory tests or screening exams.
However, Medicare may cover some of these services as preventive care at specific intervals.