Your Medicare Wellness Visit
What is Medicare?
About Your Wellness Visit
As part of your visit, your provider will ask you to complete a Health Risk Assessment questionnaire. Your answers help you and your care team create or update a personalized prevention plan designed to keep you healthy and make the most of your appointment.
During your visit, you can expect:
- Routine measurements such as height, weight, and blood pressure
- General health guidance and education
- A review of your medical and family history
- A look at your current prescriptions
- Personalized recommendations to support your health goals
- Advance care planning, if you choose
- A screening schedule outlining recommended preventive services
- An optional assessment of Social Determinants of Health, which helps your provider understand any social or environmental factors that may affect your care
Your provider will also complete a cognitive assessment to check for early signs of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Cognitive changes can look like difficulty remembering, concentrating, managing finances, learning new things, or making everyday decisions. If your provider has concerns, Medicare covers a separate, more detailed cognitive evaluation to assess issues such as dementia, depression, anxiety, or delirium.
If you currently take prescription opioids, your provider will review your risk factors for opioid use disorder, assess your pain and treatment plan, discuss non-opioid alternatives, and refer you to a specialist if needed. They’ll also review risk factors for other substance use concerns, including alcohol or tobacco use, and connect you with support services when appropriate.
