If you are new to Medicare, or helping a parent who is, one of the first questions that comes up is simple. What does Medicare actually pay for when it comes to your regular doctor? The answer is more generous than most people expect, but there are a few details worth knowing so you get the full value of your coverage.
Your yearly wellness visit is covered at no cost. Medicare covers one Annual Wellness Visit each year with no copay and no deductible. This is not a head to toe physical. It is a planning visit where your provider reviews your health history, updates your medications, checks which screenings you are due for, and builds a prevention plan for the year ahead. It is one of the most useful benefits Medicare offers, and a lot of people never use it.
Preventive screenings are covered. Medicare pays for a long list of screenings that catch problems early, including cardiovascular screenings, diabetes screening, several cancer screenings, and vaccinations like the flu and pneumonia shots. Staying current on these is one of the best things you can do for your long term health.
Visits for illness and chronic conditions are covered. When you come in sick, or to manage an ongoing condition like high blood pressure or diabetes, Medicare Part B covers those visits. After you meet your yearly deductible, you generally pay twenty percent of the approved amount, and a Medicare Advantage or supplement plan may cover part or all of that share.
Chronic care management is covered. If you have two or more ongoing conditions, Medicare covers a service where our team helps coordinate your care between visits and keeps your medications current. Many patients find this makes managing several conditions far less stressful.
The simplest way to understand your own coverage is to talk with a primary care office that works with Medicare every day. We are glad to walk you through what your plan covers and help you get the care you are entitled to.Closing line: New patients are always welcome at our Lansdowne and Reston offices. Call (571) 206-8696 or book online at vpmcwellness.com.
