Medicare’s Annual Wellness Visit is your once-a-year opportunity to focus on staying healthy. We use this visit to look at your overall health, identify potential risks early and create a clear plan to help you feel your best all year long.

If you’re enrolled in Medicare Part B, this preventive visit is a no-cost benefit designed to keep your care proactive and personalized.

Think of the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit as a roadmap. We review where your health stands today, plan for tomorrow and help you take practical steps forward.

What is a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit?

The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is a preventive service focused on long-term health and risk reduction. It’s conversation-based and plan-driven, giving you time to talk through your medical history, medications, lifestyle habits and preventive care needs.

If a new or worsening concern comes up during the visit and needs evaluation or treatment, we can address it during a separate, problem-focused visit. That type of visit may involve standard Medicare cost-sharing.

Our goal is to help you stay ahead of health concerns. We organize recommended screenings, vaccinations and practical goals so you can catch issues early, avoid unnecessary costs and maintain a high quality of life.

Who can participate in a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit?

If you have Medicare Part B, you’re eligible for a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit once you’ve had Part B coverage for at least 12 months. After that, you can schedule one wellness visit every 12 months.

If you’re new to Medicare, you may be eligible for a one-time “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit during your first year of Part B coverage. Your annual wellness visits begin after that.

Eligibility is based on Part B enrollment — not age. While most participants are 65 or older, people under 65 who qualify for Medicare due to disability or certain medical conditions are also eligible.

What's required — and what's included in a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit

Before or during your visit, you’ll complete a brief Health Risk Assessment. This questionnaire helps us understand your day-to-day health, lifestyle habits and any safety, memory or mood concerns.

During your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, we’ll provide:

• A personalized prevention plan with recommended screenings, immunizations and health goals

• A review of your medical and family history, conditions, allergies and all medications and supplements

• Simple measurements such as height, weight and blood pressure

• Screenings for memory and mood, along with fall risk and home safety checks

• Referrals to helpful services, including nutrition counseling, smoking cessation, behavioral health and community resources

You’ll leave with a clear plan tailored to your needs and priorities — and support to help you follow through.

What's not included in a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit

The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is not a head-to-toe physical exam and does not include diagnostic testing.

Not included in the visit:

• Full physical examinations

• Blood work, imaging, heart testing or other diagnostic procedures

• Evaluation or treatment of new or worsening symptoms

If we identify a concern that needs further evaluation, we can schedule or perform a separate office visit. Some preventive services discussed — such as certain vaccines or cancer screenings — may be covered under other Medicare benefits and could involve coinsurance or deductibles, depending on your plan.

How to prepare for a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit

A little preparation can help your visit go smoothly. Consider bringing:

• All medications and supplements, including dosages

• Your medical and surgical history, along with recent tests or hospitalizations

• Names of other clinicians you see and your preferred pharmacy

• Questions or goals for the year, such as improving sleep or staying active

• Notes about any recent falls, memory changes or mood concerns

Family members or caregivers are welcome to attend and can help provide details or support your care plan.

Cost and coverage

The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit itself has no out-of-pocket cost for people covered by Medicare Part B. If additional services are provided during or after your visit — such as diagnostic tests or a problem-focused appointment — standard Medicare cost-sharing may apply.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, coverage and cost-sharing can vary. Checking your plan details ahead of time can help avoid surprises.

Ready to schedule?

If you haven’t had your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit this year, now’s a great time to schedule. Use our Find a Provider tool to connect with a Tanner clinician near you, or contact your primary care office to book your visit.

We’re here to help you stay healthy, independent and confident — one yearly visit at a time.