When you first enroll in Medicare Part B, you are entitled to a one-time Welcome to Medicare Preventive Visit. This visit must take place within the first 12 months your Part B coverage is active. It is not a physical exam in the traditional sense, but rather a review of your health history and a discussion of preventive services you may need going forward.
No Cost to You
The Welcome to Medicare visit is covered at 100% by Medicare Part B when you see a provider who accepts Medicare assignment. You pay nothing, and your Part B deductible does not apply. If additional services are ordered during the same visit, those may have separate cost-sharing.
What the Visit Includes
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
Health history review | Your provider reviews your medical and family history |
Height, weight, BMI, and blood pressure | Basic measurements recorded as a baseline |
Vision screening | Basic check for potential vision problems |
Cognitive assessment | Brief screening for signs of cognitive impairment |
Depression screening | Standardized screening questionnaire |
Preventive services review | Your provider identifies screenings and vaccines you are due for based on your age and health history |
Written prevention plan | A personalized checklist of recommended preventive services and referrals |
End-of-life planning discussion | Optional discussion about advance directives and healthcare wishes |
Welcome to Medicare Visit vs. Annual Wellness Visit
Many people confuse the Welcome to Medicare visit with the Annual Wellness Visit (AWV). They are related but different. The Welcome to Medicare visit happens once, in your first year on Part B. The Annual Wellness Visit is available every year after that. Both are fully covered by Medicare with no cost-sharing when you use a participating provider.
| Feature | Welcome to Medicare Visit | Annual Wellness Visit |
|---|---|---|
Frequency | Once (first 12 months of Part B) | Once per year |
Cost | $0 (no deductible) | $0 (no deductible) |
Physical exam included? | No (preventive review only) | No (preventive review only) |
Cognitive screening | Yes | Yes |
Personalized prevention plan | Yes | Yes (updated annually) |
How to Schedule Your Visit
Call your primary care provider and specifically request the "Welcome to Medicare Preventive Visit" or "IPPE" (Initial Preventive Physical Examination). Not all providers automatically offer it, so naming it specifically helps ensure it is billed correctly. If you do not have a primary care provider yet, use the Care Compare tool at medicare.gov to find one who accepts Medicare.
What Happens If You Miss the 12-Month Window?
If you do not schedule your Welcome to Medicare visit within the first 12 months of Part B coverage, you lose access to this one-time benefit permanently. However, you can still take advantage of the Annual Wellness Visit each year and the full range of Medicare-covered preventive services.
Does the Welcome to Medicare visit include blood work?
Not automatically. The visit itself is a preventive review, not a comprehensive physical. However, your provider may order lab tests based on the visit, such as a fasting blood glucose test or cholesterol panel. Those tests are billed separately and may have cost-sharing.
Can I have the Welcome to Medicare visit and a regular office visit on the same day?
Yes, but if your provider addresses a new or existing medical problem during the same appointment, that portion may be billed as a separate office visit with standard cost-sharing. Ask your provider to keep the preventive visit separate from any treatment services.
Is the Welcome to Medicare visit available under Medicare Advantage?
Yes. Medicare Advantage plans must cover the Welcome to Medicare visit at no cost to you, just as Original Medicare does.
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