Get Your "Welcome to Medicare" Preventive Visit Questions Answered
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What is the "Welcome to Medicare" Preventive Visit?
Why should I get it?
The "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit puts you in control of your health and your Medicare from the start. Offered the first year that you have Medicare, this comprehensive visit is an easy way for you and your doctor to take a good look at your
health now, and plan for a healthy future. And it’s free.
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What’s covered during the visit?
During the visit, you and your doctor will review your medical and family history, discuss your current health conditions and prescriptions, and do tests and screenings to get a baseline for future, personalized care. It’s also a chance for you and your doctor to discuss short- and long-term steps to prevent disease, improve your health, and stay well. After the visit, your doctor will give you a plan or checklist outlining the screenings and preventative services you should get.
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How much does the "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit cost?
The "Welcome to Medicare" visit is free for most people with Medicare.
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I have a Medicare Advantage Plan.
Can I still get the "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit?
Yes. The "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit is available to people who are in Medicare Advantage Plans. Check with your plan to find out if the visit will be free for you.
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If my doctor already knows my health history, what’s the benefit of this visit?
Enrolling in Medicare is an important step in your health care. The "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit is more comprehensive than a typical annual visit and allows for you and your doctor to discuss short- and long-term steps to prevent disease, improve your health, and stay well. It’s also time to make sure that your health care wishes are carried out in the future.
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What types of health care providers can perform the "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit?
A doctor or a qualified non-physician practitioner (like a physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist), can perform the "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit.
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How long do I have to get the "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit after I enroll in Medicare?
The "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit is offered during the first 12 months that you have Medicare. Once you enroll in Medicare, it's important to schedule your "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit right away.
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What if I’ve had Medicare longer than 12 months.
Can I still get the "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit?
No. After the 12-month period has passed, you will need to schedule your visit as a yearly "Wellness" visit instead of the "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit.
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Should I do anything to prepare for the visit? Do I need to bring anything with me?
To make the most of your "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit, you should bring the following things with you:
- Medical records, including immunization records
- Family health history – before your appointment, try to learn as much as you can about your family's health history. Any information you can give your doctor can help determine if you’re at risk for certain diseases
- A list of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications that you currently take, how often you take them and why
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My doctor hasn’t mentioned the "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit. Should I ask him/her?
If you enrolled in Medicare within the last 12 months, you should ask your doctor about the "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit. The visit puts you in control of your health and your Medicare from the start. It’s an easy way for you and your doctor to take a good look at your health now, and plan for a healthy future.
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Where can I get more information about the "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit?
For more answers to your general Medicare questions, go to our Support Center.