When you first enroll in Medicare Part B, you have 12 months to sign up for your Welcome to Medicare preventive visit. This visit will involve preventive assessments and screenings, along with discussions with your doctor. Come prepared with your medical history.
What is the Welcome to Medicare Visit?
The Welcome to Medicare visit is an initial assessment with your doctor that takes you through preventive screenings, gathers your health information, and informs you about services you might need, leaving you with a plan for preventive care.
You can schedule your Welcome to Medicare visit during the first 12 months after enrolling in Medicare Part B. Like many other preventive services, the preventive visit is covered by Medicare Part B. If your doctor accepts assignment, meaning they take Medicare’s amount as full payment, you will pay nothing for this visit.
Suppose your doctor performs extra preventive tests or services beyond those generally administered during the Welcome to Medicare visit. In that case, you may have to pay coinsurance, and the deductible will apply.
What to Expect During Your Welcome to Medicare Visit
During the Welcome to Medicare visit, your doctor will review your medical and social history. You will answer many questions and provide information to let Medicare get a complete health history from you.
The doctor will administer certain screenings, give you your flu or pneumococcal shots, and give you a referral for other necessary services. They will also measure your height and weight during the visit and calculate your body mass index. They will take your blood pressure and put you through a simple vision test.
Following those physical exams, the doctor will then discuss your risk for depression and assess your level of safety with you. They will offer to talk with you about creating advance directives.
At the end of the visit, your doctor will provide you with a written plan of which preventive screenings, shots, and other services you need and give you details about these services.
How to Prepare
The Welcome to Medicare visit will be longer than your average wellness visit and will require active participation on your part. Come prepared with the documentation you have on your family health history and other medical records, including your immunization records. You will also want to write down the prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements you take, along with how often you take them, the dosages you take, and why you are taking them.
Are You New to Medicare?
Magellan Healthcare has a team of experts specializing in all aspects of Medicare. We can guide you through this process and help you find the Medicare coverage that works best for you. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment.
