Medicare Annual Wellness Visit printable pdf download

Lalita Matta, MD | Estrela Chaves, NP, CDE

65 FREMONT STREET | MARLBOROUGH, MA 01752

P: 508-303-8553 | F: 508-303-0665

To:

Our Medicare Patients

Subject:

Medicare Annual Wellness and Other Preventative Visits

Beginning January 1, 2011, Medicare covers an "Annual Wellness Visit" in addition to the one-time "Welcome

to Medicare" exam. The "Welcome to Medicare" exam occurs only once during your first twelve months as a

Medicare patient. You may receive your Annual Wellness Visit after you have been with Medicare for more

than one year, or it has been at least one year since your "Welcome to Medicare" exam.

Initial Preventative Physical Exam (IPPE)

"Welcome to Medicare" is only for new Medicare patients.

This must be done in the 1st year as a Medicare patient.

Annual Wellness Visit, Initial

At least 1 year after the "Welcome to Medicare" exam.

Annual Wellness Visit, Subsequent

Once a year (more than 1 year and 1 day after the last

Wellness Visit).

The Annual Wellness Visit is not the same thing as what many people often refer to as their yearly physical

exam. Medicare is very specific about what the "Annual Wellness Visit" includes and excludes.

At the Annual Wellness Visit, your doctor will talk to you about your medical history, review your risk factors,

and make a personalized prevention plan to keep you healthy. The visit does not include a hands-on exam

or any testing that your doctor may recommend, nor does it include any discussion about new or current

medical problems, conditions, or medications. You may schedule another visit to address those issues or

your doctor may charge the usual Medicare fees for such services that are beyond the scope of the Annual

Wellness Visit.

If you would like to schedule an annual physical, including any lab work or other diagnostic testing,

medication management, vaccinations, and other services, please understand that these services will be

charged and covered according to Medicare's usual coverage guidelines. However you may still develop

a care plan based on the Annual Wellness Visit criteria.

We appreciate the trust you put in us to take care of your health care needs and hope that you will take

advantage of this new benefit to work with your physician in creating your personalized prevention plan.

***Attached you will find three forms. Please complete the first two prior to your upcoming appointment.

The third form is for your provider to complete. Thank you and we look forward to serving you.***

Rev. 01/26/2015

Medicare Annual Wellness Visit