This is one of the most common points of confusion for people on Medicare, and it matters, because misunderstanding it can lead to a surprise bill. The Annual Wellness Visit and the annual physical sound like the same thing, but Medicare treats them very differently.
The Annual Wellness Visit is a planning visit. Medicare covers this once a year at no cost to you. Your provider reviews your health history, updates your medications, checks your risk for common conditions, makes sure you are current on screenings, and builds a prevention plan for the year. It usually does not include a hands on head to toe exam. Think of it as a yearly check in on the big picture of your health.
The annual physical is a hands on exam. A traditional full physical, where the provider examines you head to toe, is not fully covered by Original Medicare the same way. If you come in expecting a complete physical and receive services beyond the wellness visit, you may owe a share of the cost. This is where the surprise bills come from.
How to avoid confusion. You do not have to sort this out alone. When you book with us, tell our team you are on Medicare and want your yearly wellness visit. We set it up correctly, explain anything that would fall outside the covered visit before we do it, and help you use your benefits the right way. No surprises.
If it has been more than a year since your last wellness visit, or you have never used this benefit, it is worth scheduling. It is covered, it is valuable, and it is one of the easiest ways to stay ahead of your health.
Closing line: New patients are always welcome at our Lansdowne and Reston offices. Call (571) 206-8696 or book online at vpmcwellness.com.
