Medicare covers your Welcome to Medicare physical exam at no cost to you during your first year of Part B coverage

The Welcome to Medicare preventive visit is a one-time physical exam that Medicare Part B pays for in full with no copay, coinsurance, or deductible. You must have Part B and be within 12 months of your first Part B coverage date to use it. The visit includes a health history, physical measurements, cognitive and depression screening, and a review of your medications — but it does not include routine blood work or other lab tests unless your doctor orders them separately and they meet Medicare's coverage rules.

If you miss the 12-month window, you lose the benefit. You cannot use it later, and Medicare does not extend or renew it. Once you turn 65 and enroll in Part B, the clock starts when ready, whether you enroll on time or late.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Welcome to Medicare visit is free under Part B, but only if you schedule it within 12 months of your Part B start date.
  • The visit covers a physical exam and health history but does not automatically include blood tests or imaging — those are billed separately if ordered.
  • You must see a doctor who accepts Medicare assignment for the visit to be fully covered at no cost.
  • If you enroll in Part B late, your 12-month window still begins on your actual Part B start date, not your 65th birthday.
  • After the 12-month window closes, you can still get an annual preventive visit under Medicare, but it follows different coverage rules and may have different costs.

The 12-Month Window and When It Starts

Your may be able to access period begins on the first day your Part B coverage is active. If you enroll at 65 and your Part B starts on January 1, your 12-month window runs through December 31 of that same year. If you enroll late — say, at age 67 — and your Part B starts on March 1, your window closes on February 28 of the following year.

Medicare counts the months strictly. You must schedule and complete the visit before the 12-month period ends. A visit scheduled in month 11 but completed in month 13 will not be covered under the Welcome benefit. Plan ahead and book your appointment early in your coverage year to avoid running out of time.

What the Visit Includes and What It Does Not

The Welcome visit covers a face-to-face exam with a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. During the visit, your provider will take your health history, measure your blood pressure and weight, perform a basic physical exam, screen you for depression and cognitive problems, and review all your current medications and supplements. The provider will also discuss preventive services you may need based on your age and health status.

The visit does not automatically include blood work, urinalysis, EKGs, or imaging scans. If your doctor orders these tests during the visit, they are billed separately under their own Medicare coverage rules. Some tests are covered at no cost (such as certain cancer screenings), while others may require you to pay a copay or coinsurance. Ask your provider before the visit what tests they plan to order and whether Medicare will cover them.

Which Doctors Can Provide the Visit

You can receive your Welcome visit from any doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant who accepts Medicare. This includes your primary care doctor, a cardiologist, a gynecologist, or any other specialist. The provider does not have to be in your network if you have a Medicare Advantage plan — the visit is covered under Original Medicare Part B rules.

The key requirement is that your provider must accept Medicare assignment. If they do not, they can charge you more than Medicare's approved amount, and you will owe the difference. Before scheduling, call the office and confirm that they accept Medicare assignment and that they understand you are using your Welcome to Medicare benefit.

What Happens After Your 12-Month Window Closes

Once your Welcome visit window expires, you cannot use that benefit again. However, Medicare Part B covers an annual wellness visit each year after that, sometimes called the "annual preventive visit." This visit is also free under Part B, but it has a different purpose and structure than the Welcome visit.

The annual wellness visit focuses on creating or updating a personalized prevention plan based on your health risks. It includes a health history, physical measurements, and a review of your medications, but the screening tests and depth of the physical exam may differ from the Welcome visit. You remain may be able to access for this annual visit every year you have Part B, so you do not lose preventive care coverage after the first year.

Costs If You See an Out-of-Network or Non-Participating Provider

If your doctor does not accept Medicare assignment, they can bill you for the difference between their charge and Medicare's approved amount. This is called balance billing. For the Welcome visit, if the provider is non-participating, you could end up paying out of pocket even though the benefit itself is free.

To avoid this, always verify that your provider accepts Medicare assignment before your appointment. You can search for participating providers on Medicare.gov or call your doctor's office directly. If you have already had a visit with a non-participating provider and received a bill, you can contact Medicare to dispute the charge if the provider did not inform you in advance that they do not accept assignment.

How to Schedule Your Welcome Visit

Contact your doctor's office and tell them you want to schedule your Welcome to Medicare preventive visit. Provide your Medicare card number and confirm your Part B start date. The office staff should know what this visit is, but if they seem unfamiliar with it, you can reference it as the "initial preventive physical exam" or "Welcome to Medicare preventive visit."

Schedule the visit as early as possible in your 12-month window. Do not wait until month 11 or 12, because delays in scheduling or rescheduling can cause you to miss the important date. Bring your Medicare card and a list of all your current medications and supplements to the appointment. If you have had recent lab work done elsewhere, bring those results so your provider can review them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Welcome visit if I enrolled in Medicare late?

Yes. Your 12-month window begins on your actual Part B start date, not on your 65th birthday. If you enroll at 68, your window still lasts 12 months from your Part B effective date. However, you cannot go back and use the benefit retroactively — it must be scheduled and completed within that 12-month period.

Does the Welcome visit cover blood work and lab tests?

Not automatically. The visit itself is free, but if your doctor orders blood work, imaging, or other tests, those are billed separately. Some preventive tests (like colorectal cancer screening) are covered at no cost, while others may have a copay. Ask your doctor in advance what tests they plan to order.

What if I have a Medicare Advantage plan instead of Original Medicare?

Medicare Advantage plans must cover the Welcome visit at no cost, just like Original Medicare. However, you must use a doctor in your plan's network, and the plan's rules about additional tests may differ. Contact your plan to confirm coverage and find an in-network provider.

Can I reschedule my Welcome visit if I miss my appointment?

Yes, you can reschedule, but you must complete the visit before your 12-month window closes. If you miss an appointment, call your doctor's office when ready to book another date. Do not assume you can reschedule weeks or months later — the important date is firm.

What if my doctor says they do not do Welcome visits?

Some practices do not use this specific billing code, but any doctor who accepts Medicare can provide the visit. Ask to schedule a preventive physical or initial preventive exam instead. If your current doctor refuses, you can see any other Medicare-participating provider for the visit — it does not have to be your regular doctor.