Regular meetings with your primary care doctor or primary care physician are important to ensure good health and wellness. Many people think that if they are healthy, they can skip the annual wellness visit, but this isn’t the case. If your health is important to you, wellness exams should be too.
What are wellness exams?
A wellness exam is a type of preventative care. Preventative healthcare focuses on maintaining wellness and stopping health problems before they occur. Instead of waiting until you have a health issue, you visit your physician to make sure that you’re still in good health, or to catch health problems in early stages.
Wellness visits or wellness exams are typically annual, and are separate from other medical visits related to illness or injury.
While wellness exams are usually covered by insurance, your insurance might not cover all expenses involved with the visit, such as labs or tests. Most insurance plans pay for one wellness exam each year, so be sure to take advantage of this. Insurance plans and coverage vary, so be sure to check with your policy.
What is included in a wellness exam?
Wellness visits basically provide your doctor with a status update on your overall health. They can help guide you to make choices that promote better health, and they can catch health problems early.
These visits may include:
- A physical examination
- Checking your vitals
- Checking BMI
- Examination of personal and family medical histories
- Discussion of current lifestyle and health choices
- Screenings
- Shots and immunizations
- Establishing a plan for your health
Screenings may vary depending on age, risk, and gender. During your wellness exam you may receive screening for cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, mammogram, pap test, osteoporosis, or STDs.
Your doctor may ask you about current stress, physical activity, diet, or drug use such as tobacco and alcohol. Much of the exam is discussion about ways to improve overall health through lifestyle and healthy decision making. Be frank in your answers — full information helps you and your doctor work together for the best outcome.
Schedule your wellness exam today!
It’s important to tell your doctor about any health questions, concerns, or problems during your wellness visit. Starting a dialogue about your health greatly improves the quality of your healthcare. Be sure to write down any questions you have for your physician before your visit.
Annual wellness visits are essential to maintaining good health and with most insurance plans, they are covered 100% with no copays. Check with your plan for how often you qualify for a wellness visit. Schedule your wellness exam with a MANA physician today!
FAQs
An annual wellness exam not only involves checking your height, weight, blood pressure and other health factors, but it is also a great time to ask questions, if you're sexually active (meaning you've had vagin*l, anal, or oral sex), you may talk about birth control or STI & lipid screening, period symptoms, vagin*l ...
What does the wellness exam include? ›
An annual wellness exam not only involves checking your height, weight, blood pressure and other health factors, but it is also a great time to ask questions, if you're sexually active (meaning you've had vagin*l, anal, or oral sex), you may talk about birth control or STI & lipid screening, period symptoms, vagin*l ...
What is typically included in a wellness check? ›
Review your blood pressure, heart rate, height, weight and body mass index (BMI). Review your current health problems, as well as your medical, surgical, family and social histories. Review your current medications. Conduct a health risk assessment.
What are the three words to remember for a Medicare wellness exam? ›
During a Medicare Wellness Visit, you might be asked to remember three words as part of a cognitive assessment. The three words commonly used are “banana, sunrise, and chair”. This test helps doctors check your memory and cognitive function.
What are the questions on the Medicare Wellness exam? ›
Aside from the Health Risk Assessment, your provider will likely ask about your medical and family history, update your current prescriptions, take measurements (height, weight, blood pressure, etc.) and more.
How do you pass a wellness test? ›
6 Ways To Prepare For Your Wellness Screening
- Fast Eight Hours If Possible. Unless directed otherwise by your doctor, fasting is one of the best ways to ensure accurate results. ...
- Stay Hydrated. ...
- Avoid Alcohol. ...
- Take Prescribed Medications. ...
- Manage Your Stress. ...
- Review Program Details.
3 things to expect from the Wellness Assessment
We'll ask questions about the activities they do every day, like eating and sleeping. They'll also answer questions about modifiable health risks —habits they can change — like their exercise and eating habits.
How do I prepare for Medicare wellness exam? ›
Review your medical history and your health risk assessment. Develop or update a list of your current providers and medications. Take your height, weight, blood pressure and other routine measurements. Complete a screening for depression and for any problems with memory or thinking.
What is not included in a wellness visit? ›
Annual Wellness Visits should not be used to diagnose new conditions, prescribe new medications, or treat any sort of infection, injury, or discomfort. If a patient is experiencing pain or distressing symptoms, they should schedule a dedicated sick visit with their provider.
What is the 5 word memory test for Medicare? ›
How Does the 5-Word Memory Test Work? Participants are given a set of 5 random words to remember for a short duration before being asked to recall them. This seemingly rudimentary exercise is underlined by intricate cognitive processes, and it can be a vital tool in the early detection of impaired cognitive function.
No. The IPPE and AWV don't include clinical lab tests, but you may make appropriate referrals for these tests as part of the IPPE or AWV. Does the deductible, coinsurance, or copayment apply for the IPPE? No.
What questions do they ask on a wellness check? ›
Your doctor will ask questions about your height, weight, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and discuss your health choices and current lifestyle. The visit may also include different types of screening depending on your gender, risk, and age.
Is Medicare wellness exam worth it? ›
The primary purpose of the Medicare Wellness Visit is prevention. It plays a key part in helping to reduce your risk for common preventable health problems such as heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, as well as for injuries from falls or other causes.
What does a women's wellness exam consist of? ›
Well-woman exams usually include three things: a pap smear, a pelvic exam, and a breast exam. These exams are essential as they can catch early signs of cancer or other health problems before they get out of hand. At the time of the appointment, you may also speak with your doctor about other health concerns you have.
Is bloodwork part of a wellness visit? ›
Wellness checkups are not the same as "physicals."
Unlike a physical exam, a wellness visit focuses on preventing diseases and disabilities. It's less about blood tests or listening to your lungs and more about preparing for a fulfilling life. You can expect questions about your current health status and history.
What not to do before a wellness check? ›
What not to do before a physical exam
- Consuming alcohol.
- Drinking caffeine within an hour of your visit.
- Eating a high-fat meal before bloodwork.
- Eating or drinking anything for eight to 12 hours, or as directed by your provider, before bloodwork that requires a fast.
- Taking cold medicine if you're feeling under the weather.
