As much as anyone hates to admit it, medical needs can change rapidly as you get older. That's why Medicare Wellness visits, also known as preventive care visits, are so important. This visit provides crucial information to your entire ARC care team, helping them provide you with needed care to maintain or improve your quality of life. If you're a patient with Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage, you are eligible for an annual Medicare Wellness visit.
Medicare Wellness visits differ from routine physical exams and are often recommended alongside your physical or a chronic disease follow-up visit.
Medicare Wellness visits include a review of specific health topics that inform your care team on the health and safety needs you have. These include:
- A "Health Risk Assessment" questionnaire
- Health advice and recommended treatment plans
- Review of medical history and prescription medication list
- Information on needed preventive screenings and vaccines
- Gait and fall risk assessment
- Advance care planning and advance directive forms
- Routine measurements (height, weight, blood pressure, body mass index)
Medicare Wellness visits are fully covered!
A Medicare Wellness visit is covered 100% by Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Supplement. Please note that any additional labs or tests ordered during this appointment may require a coinsurance payment towards your deductible.
How to schedule a Medicare Wellness visit
- Schedule online through the scheduling link found in your email, text, or MyChart Medicare Wellness visit reminder.
- Call the Medicare Wellness Unit at 512-421-4881 to make an appointment.
You can schedule your annual Medicare Wellness visit with any ARC physician or advanced practice clinician (APC). After your visit, your primary care physician (PCP) will have access to your visit summary and feedback through MyChart—even if your visit was not scheduled with your PCP.
Once your appointment is confirmed, you can expect to receive an appointment reminder two days in advance. For more information, visit the ARC Medicare Wellness page.