CLEARFIELD – June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month.
APPRISE reminds you that this is a perfect month for your yearly “Wellness” visit if you have had Medicare part B for more than one year.
This visit to your doctor is to develop or update your personalized plan to prevent disease or disability based on your current health and risk factors.
Your provider may also perform a cognitive impairment assessment to look for signs of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and may check for depression or other mood disorders.
The yearly “Wellness” visit isn’t a physical exam. Medicare covers this visit once every 12 months.
Your provider will ask you to fill out a questionnaire (called the “Health Risk Assessment”) as part of this visit. Answering the questions can help you and your provider develop a personalized prevention plan to help you stay healthy and get the most out of your visit.
Your visit should also include a review of preventive services including education and counseling on screenings and recommended shots or vaccines as well as referrals for other care, if needed.
Your provider may order other tests, if necessary, depending on your general health and medical history. When you call to make your appointment, let your doctor’s office know that you would like to schedule your yearly “Wellness” visit.
You pay nothing for your yearly “Wellness” visit if the doctor or other provider accepts assignment.
If your doctor or other health care provider performs additional tests during the same visit that Medicare doesn’t cover under preventive benefits, you may have to pay coinsurance and the Part B deductible may apply.
If Medicare doesn’t cover the additional test or service (like routine physical exam), you may pay the full amount. Check with your insurance or doctor if an additional test is ordered.
The Medicare Wellness Prevention Program helps you and your doctor prevent illness and plan for a healthier you.
Programs and services of the agency are funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging Inc., Mature Resources Foundation, and local and consumer contributions.