We asked members of our medical staff to answer some common questions they
hear from their patients. Read
Candi Hallermann's, APRN, answer to:
I’m on Medicare, and I’ve heard that I can have a free annual
visit as part of my benefits?
Q: I’m on Medicare, and I’ve heard that I can have a free annual
visit as part of my benefits?
A: That is true. This benefit has been in place since 2011, and it’s
completely free to eligible patients. It’s called an Annual Wellness
Visit, and is covered under Medicare Part B. All Medicare beneficiaries
have 12 months to have their initial preventive physical exam, or the
“Welcome to Medicare” exam, and are eligible for an Annual
Wellness Visit every 12 months thereafter. All the primary care providers
at Campbell County Medical Group, both Family Medicine and Internal Medicine
specialists, can provide this Wellness Visit.
An Annual Wellness Visit contains elements that are similar to a check-up
or physical. Here is what is included:
- Review and update medical and family history.
- Review and update the patient’s list of providers.
- Measure height, weight, body mass index, (BMI), blood pressure and other
routine measurements.
- Assessment for any possible cognitive impairment.
- Establish or review a health screening schedule for the next 5-10 years,
based on health status, screening history and age. This includes screenings
like colonoscopy, mammograms, or lung CT (based on screening criteria),
and a review of medications and immunizations.
- Prepare a list of risk factors and recommended interventions, and a list
of treatment options and the associated risks and benefits.
- Give advice and referrals, as appropriate, to health education or other
preventive services such as weight loss, smoking cessation, fall prevention
and nutrition.
The Annual Wellness Visit is a great benefit that many people don’t
know about or take advantage of. The only thing that can’t be discussed
in this visit are any new issues or problems a patient is experiencing.
A separate appointment is needed for any new concerns a patient has. If
you don't have a regular doctor, you can make a new patient appointment
with one of our providers to begin that relationship. That provider can
become your 'go to' for those Annual Wellness Visits to help you
manage and maintain your health for a long time to come.
Candi Hallermann, APRN, works at the Campbell County Medical Group Internal Medicine Clinic
in the Main Clinic in Gillette, Wyoming. Schedule an appointment today
at 307.688.3636. Learn more at www.cchwyo.org/IM.