Your Health Partner
When it comes to your health, what’s important to you is important to us.
At Alexander Valley Healthcare, it’s our goal to provide you with exceptional, personalized care and service. We’ll work closely with you to design a roadmap for protecting and preserving your health.
As a Medicare or Medicare Advantage member you are eligible for free, annual visits with your doctor. During these visits, you, your doctor and care team, will partner to develop a comprehensive, personalized plan for improving your health and preventing disease. It’s a great opportunity to talk about your healthcare goals – both short and long term.
Understanding Medicare Wellness Visits
Medicare pays for two types of wellness visits: A one-time Welcome to Medicare visit and an annual Medicare Wellness visit.
Welcome to Medicare Visit
Medicare covers this one-time health assessment within the initial 12 months of joining Medicare. Your doctor will review your medical history and provide education and counseling about preventive services. The Welcome to Medicare visit includes the following:
- Height, weight and blood pressure measurements
- Body mass index calculation
- Vision test
- A review of your potential risk for depression and your level of safety
- A discussion about creating an end-of-life care plan
- A written overview of screenings, immunizations and other preventive services
From analyzing the results, your doctor will formulate a written, personalized prevention plan, which will explain which preventive services and screenings are recommended for you – along with advice on your diet, lifestyle and overall well-being. Your doctor will also offer to discuss advance directives, which detail how you would want your health care administered if you were unable to speak for yourself.
Once you have a baseline of your health established by your Welcome to Medicare exam, you may then return to your doctor each year for an annual Medicare Wellness visit. TO SCHEDULE AN INITIAL MEDICARE EXAM, CALL: 707-894-4229.
Medicare Wellness Visit
If you have had Medicare for longer than 12 months, you’re eligible for an annual Medicare Wellness visit. (You are not required to attend a Welcome to Medicare visit in order to be covered for your annual Wellness visit.)
These visits are designed to develop or update the personalized plan to help prevent disease and disability based on your current health and risk factors; in addition, the doctor will respond to any questions on your Medicare questionnaire. At the end of the assessment, your healthcare provider will print a copy of your plan, which will include a list of upcoming screenings and visits. You may also find a copy of your plan on the Patient Portal. TO SCHEDULE YOUR ANNUAL WELLNESS APPOINTMENT, CALL: 707-894-4229
The Medicare Wellness Visit includes:
- Height, weight and blood pressure measurements
- A review of your medical and family history
- Developing or updating your list of care providers and medications
- Check for signs of cognitive impairment
- Determining a schedule for appropriate preventive services and screenings
- Creating and reviewing a list of risk factors and treatment options—personalized for you
Both the Welcome to Medicare exam and the annual Wellness visit are covered in full by Medicare.
Additional Facts & FAQs about Wellness Visits
What is the Eligibility for Medicare Visits?
New members of Medicare are eligible for one-time Welcome to Medicare visit during the first 12 months of enrollment. If you’ve had Medicare for longer than 12 months, you are eligible for an annual Medicare Wellness visit.
What’s the Difference Between a Wellness Visit & an Annual Physical?
A Medicare Wellness visit is not a physical examination. It is a time for you and your doctor or care team to create or update a personalized plan for improving your health and preventing disease.
What are the Costs of Wellness Visits?
Your one-time Welcome to Medicare visit and your annual Medicare Wellness visit are covered by Medicare. However, if your doctor or other healthcare provider performs additional tests or services during the same visit that are not covered under these preventive benefits, you will be responsible for your usual co-pay or deductible.
How Should I Prepare for My Wellness Visit?
Before your visit, your healthcare provider will send you a questionnaire. Answering these questions will help you and your doctor develop a personalized prevention plan for improving your health.
- Please remember to also bring:
- All of your medications in their original bottles, including over-the-counter medications and supplements
- Medicare card or other insurance card
- Photo ID
- Documents outlining end-of-life care wishes*
- Power of attorney*
*if available
