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Every year Medicare Part B<\/a> users are allowed to get a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV)\u2014a nonphysical check-up that allows them and their medical provider to create a personalized prevention plan. The exams aren’t meant to be scary, but as with any medical appointment, worries and questions can arise. That\u2019s why we sat down with a top Medicare<\/a> expert to learn what Medicare Part B users need to know to prepare for their exam and provide details on how they can get the most out of the visit. Read on for more.\u00a0<\/p>\n What to expect from your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit<\/p>\n A Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is different from your annual checkup. Whitney Stidom, vice president of consumer enablement at eHealth, an online health insurance marketplace, explains, \u201cThis wellness visit is not a physical exam. Rather than providing preventive medical care and tests, this visit is focused on reviewing the patient\u2019s personal and family medical history and their current prescriptions.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe doctor may also lay out a schedule for future preventive medical screenings and may offer personalized medical advice,\u201d she continues. \u201cA cognitive assessment may also be conducted to see if there are any signs of impairment, including potentially identifying early stages of dementia or Alzheimer\u2019s disease.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Getty<\/p>\n To qualify for the visit, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part B for at least 12 months. And if that\u2019s you, Stidom heavily advises you contact your primary care doctor to set up an appointment.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAn annual wellness visit is one of the most valuable benefits included with most insurance health plans, including Medicare,\u201d she explains. \u201cYet a recent survey<\/a> found 20 percent of Americans don\u2019t typically get an annual wellness exam, and about the same percentage don\u2019t know an annual wellness exam is covered at no additional cost under most insurance plans when people use an in-network care provider.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n How much does a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit cost?\u00a0<\/p>\n As long as you go to a doctor who accepts Medicare, there shouldn\u2019t be any cost for your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, says Stidom.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, if diagnoses are made or other tests and services are performed outside the scope of the wellness visit, these may incur out-of-pocket costs for some patients,\u201d she continues. \u201cMedicare beneficiaries should always feel free to ask their physicians during the visit which services might result in out-of-pocket costs for them.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Medicare’s Hidden Perks Could Save You Thousands This Year<\/a><\/p>\n How to prepare for your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit<\/p>\n To help make your visit as easy as possible, Stidom recommends bringing a list of your current prescription medications and dosages, adding,\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s important to give the doctor the most accurate picture possible of your personal and family history and your prescription drug use. If helpful, bring notes describing these.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n And while many people try to prepare for the cognitive exam, Stidom notes, \u201cThere\u2019s no need to study or prepare beforehand for the cognitive assessment. During the assessment, the doctor will typically ask some simple questions and perform some basic memory tests. For example, the person might be asked to draw a picture of a clock showing a certain time, or to remember certain words and repeat them after a short period of time.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Medicare Premiums Rising to $5,000 by 2035\u2014Here’s How to Save<\/a><\/p>\n What preventive screenings should Medicare patients prioritize after their wellness visit?<\/p>\n After your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, Stidom says it’s important to prioritize a select few preventive screenings.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBlood pressure and cholesterol checks, diabetes screening for those with an elevated body mass index (BMI) and lung cancer screening for adults ages 55 to 80 with a history of heavy smoking,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s also important for women to get mammograms every 1 to 2 years starting at age 40 and cervical cancer screenings up to age 65, plus colorectal cancer screenings if you are 50 to 75 years old and prostate cancer exams for men, based on your doctor\u2019s recommendation.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Getty<\/p>\n Ready for more? Subscribe to our YouTube channel<\/a> for video podcasts, health tips and uplifting stories designed for women 40, 50, 60 and beyond.<\/p>\n For more Medicare content, keep scrolling! <\/p>\n What\u2019s the Difference between Medigap and Medicare Advantage? An Expert Reveals Which Plan Saves Seniors the Most Money<\/a><\/p>\n Cataract Surgery Costs With Medicare: How to Cut Your Bill from $880 to $250 per Eye<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Doctor](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/9ef41b98d99136e18ff5d46d1955488a.jpeg\"\/)
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