Your Medicare Wellness Visit
avolzke • December 9, 2025
What is Medicare?
Medicare is health coverage for adults 65+, but you may qualify earlier if you have a disability, ESRD, or ALS. Some people are enrolled automatically, while others need to sign up, it all depends on when you begin receiving Social Security benefits. You can have an annual Wellness visit to update a personalized plan for preventing disease or disability; this visit focuses on prevention, not a physical exam. Medicare Part B covers the cost for your annual visit.
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.
Your Guide to Medicare Wellness Visits and Preventive Care
Understanding Diabetes: Symptoms, Testing, and Prevention
Understanding Intimate Partner Violence vs. Domestic Violence
Understanding the Flu Vaccine
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among both youth and adults in the United States. For every life lost, many more individuals make a plan, attempt suicide, or seek care in an emergency department. Mental health plays a major role. Nearly half of people who die by suicide have a history of a diagnosed mental health condition. However, many others may struggle silently, with no diagnosis at all. Access to timely mental health care can make a critical difference in reducing risk. It’s important to understand that suicide is complex. Factors at the individual, relationship, and community levels can all contribute. Veterans, for example, face higher suicide rates than the general population. Programs like the CDC’s Comprehensive Suicide Prevention program and the Make the Connection campaign are working to provide support, share personal stories, and connect veterans to resources. Youth mental health is also an urgent concern. According to the most recent data from 2023, 1 in 5 U.S. high school students reported seriously considering attempting suicide in the past year. This highlights the importance of open conversations, prevention efforts, and ensuring young people know help is available. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, you are not alone. Free and confidential help is available 24/7/365. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org .
Every Ingredient in a Vaccine Has a Purpose
What to Know About Measles
Whether you’re on a construction site, in a warehouse, or simply working outside during a heatwave, extreme temperatures can put your health at serious risk. Heat-related illnesses can strike quickly and range from mild skin irritation to life-threatening emergencies. Let’s take a look at the most common heat-related illnesses, how to recognize the warning signs, and what to do if you or a co-worker is affected. Heat Stroke – A Medical Emergency Heat stroke is the most dangerous heat-related illness. It happens when your body can no longer regulate its temperature. Without emergency treatment, it can lead to permanent disability—or even death. Warning Signs: Confusion, slurred speech, or altered mental state Loss of consciousness Hot, dry skin or excessive sweating Seizures Body temperature of 106°F or higher What to Do: Call 911 immediately Stay with the person until help arrives Move them to a shaded, cool area Remove excess clothing Cool them down fast—with an ice bath, wet cloths, or by soaking clothing with cool water Apply ice packs to the neck, armpits, and groin Heat Exhaustion – Your Body is Overheating Heat exhaustion occurs when your body loses too much water and salt through sweat. It’s often a warning sign before heat stroke. Symptoms: Headache, nausea, dizziness Weakness or irritability Heavy sweating Thirst and reduced urine output Slightly elevated body temperature What to Do: Move to a cooler area and rest Remove unnecessary clothing Sip cool water slowly Use cold compresses or rinse with cold water Get medical attention if symptoms worsen or don’t improve Rhabdomyolysis – Muscle Breakdown from Heat Stress Rhabdomyolysis, or “rhabdo,” is caused by intense physical exertion in the heat. It leads to muscle breakdown, which can damage your kidneys and heart. Watch for: Muscle cramps or unusual pain Weakness or fatigue Dark-colored urine (tea or cola-like) In some cases, no symptoms at all What to Do: Stop working immediately. Drink plenty of fluids Seek medical care right away—ask for a creatine kinase blood test to check for rhabdo Heat Syncope – Fainting from the Heat Heat syncope is a brief loss of consciousness due to standing too long or rising suddenly in hot conditions. Dehydration and lack of heat adaptation can make it worse. Symptoms: Fainting or dizziness Light-headedness after standing or sudden movement What to Do: Sit or lie down in a cool spot Sip water or a sports drink slowly Heat Cramps – Painful Muscle Spasms Sweating during strenuous work can drain your body’s salt levels, leading to heat cramps—especially in your arms, legs, or abdomen. Symptoms: Painful muscle cramps or spasms What to Do: Drink water or a sports drink every 15–20 minutes Rest in a cool place Avoid salt tablets Get medical help if you have heart issues, are on a low-sodium diet, or cramps persist longer than an hour Heat Rash – Irritated Skin from Sweat Heat rash happens when sweat gets trapped under the skin, often in hot, humid environments. Look for: Red bumps or small blisters Usually shows up on the neck, chest, groin, or elbows What to Do: Move to a cooler, less humid space Keep the skin dry Use powder for comfort (avoid ointments or creams) Final Tips for Staying Safe: Drink water often, even if you’re not thirsty Take breaks in the shade or air-conditioning Wear light, breathable clothing Know the signs of heat illness—and never ignore them Staying cool isn’t just about comfort—it can save lives. Share this information with your team and make heat safety a priority every day.
Summer is the season of sunshine, perfect for pool days, backyard barbecues, and long walks in the park. You probably know to lather up with sunscreen before heading to the beach or sending the kids out to swim. But did you know that protecting your skin from the sun is just as important when you’re doing everyday activities like gardening, watching a ballgame, or taking an afternoon stroll? Sun protection isn’t just a once-in-a-while task—it’s a year-round habit. And sunscreen alone isn’t enough. Why Sun Safety Matters Every Day The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage unprotected skin in as little as 15 minutes—even on cool or cloudy days. Over time, that damage adds up and can lead to sunburn, premature aging, and even skin cancer. In fact, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States . Anyone can get it, regardless of skin tone, age, or lifestyle. That’s why it’s so important to protect your skin every day—not just when you’re heading to the beach. Smart Ways to Protect Your Skin You don’t have to stay inside all summer. Just take a few easy steps to protect yourself while enjoying the outdoors: Seek shade , especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun’s rays are strongest. Cover up with lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants when you can’t stay in the shade. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher—and don’t forget to reapply every 2 hours, or after swimming, sweating, or drying off with a towel. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to shield your face and eyes. Stay cool and hydrated to help prevent heat-related illnesses (especially important during heat waves!). Know the Warning Signs of Skin Cancer Early detection is key. Keep an eye out for: New or changing moles Sores that don’t heal Spots that itch, bleed, or look different from others on your body If something looks unusual, get it checked out by a healthcare provider. Bottom Line: Sun Safety is for Everyone, Every Day It doesn’t matter if you’re heading to the beach, working in the yard, or just running errands, UV rays are always around. Taking a few simple precautions can help you avoid painful sunburns now and reduce your risk of skin cancer down the road. Protect your skin. Protect your future. Make sun safety a daily routine.
