Medicare covers one free yearly physical exam, called the "Welcome to Medicare" visit in your first year and the "Annual Wellness Visit" in years after

Yes, Medicare Part B pays for a preventive physical exam once per year at no cost to you — no copay, no coinsurance, no deductible. The visit must be with a doctor who accepts Medicare, and the exam focuses on checking your overall health, reviewing your medical history, and screening for common conditions. This is different from a sick visit, where you see a doctor because something hurts or you feel ill.

The yearly physical is considered preventive care, which Medicare prioritizes. You do not pay anything out of pocket for the visit itself, though any lab work or imaging ordered during the visit may have separate costs depending on what is done and whether it is deemed preventive or diagnostic.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicare Part B covers one preventive physical per year with no copay or deductible if you see a doctor who accepts Medicare.
  • The visit is called a "Welcome to Medicare" exam in your first year of coverage and an "Annual Wellness Visit" in subsequent years.
  • Lab tests or imaging ordered during the visit may have costs, depending on whether Medicare classifies them as preventive or diagnostic screening.
  • You must schedule the visit yourself — Medicare does not send reminders or automatically book appointments.
  • The exam covers health history review, vital signs, screening for depression and cognitive decline, and discussion of preventive services you may need.

What happens during your yearly physical

During the Annual Wellness Visit, your doctor will review your complete medical history, take your blood pressure and other vital signs, and perform a basic physical exam. The visit also includes screening questions about depression, memory problems, and fall risk — conditions that matter more as you age. Your doctor will discuss which preventive services (like vaccines, cancer screenings, or bone density tests) you may need based on your age and health.

The visit is not a full head-to-toe diagnostic exam. If your doctor finds something that needs investigation — like an irregular heartbeat or a lump — that follow-up work is separate from the wellness visit and may have its own costs. The wellness visit itself is preventive; anything beyond that is considered diagnostic or treatment.

Lab work and imaging ordered during the visit

If your doctor orders blood work or imaging (like an X-ray or ultrasound) during your yearly physical, those tests are not automatically covered at no cost. Medicare covers certain preventive screenings — such as mammograms, colonoscopies, and bone density scans — at no cost when ordered as part of routine prevention. However, the coverage depends on your age, sex, and screening history.

If your doctor orders a test that Medicare does not classify as preventive — or if you have already had the covered screening within the recommended timeframe — you may owe a copay or coinsurance. Ask your doctor before the visit which tests are planned and whether Medicare will cover them at no cost. If you are unsure, call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to confirm coverage for a specific test.

How to schedule your yearly physical

You must call your doctor's office directly to schedule your Annual Wellness Visit. Medicare does not send appointment reminders or book visits for you. When you call, tell the office staff that you want to schedule your yearly wellness visit or annual physical covered by Medicare Part B.

Make sure your doctor accepts Medicare assignment, meaning they accept Medicare's approved amount as full payment for the visit. You can check whether a doctor accepts Medicare by calling their office or searching the Medicare Provider Directory at Medicare.gov. If your doctor does not accept Medicare, you may owe the full cost of the visit.

The difference between your yearly physical and sick visits

A yearly physical is preventive — you go because it is time for a checkup, not because you are ill. Medicare covers one preventive physical per year at no cost. A sick visit is when you see a doctor because you have symptoms, pain, or a health problem. Sick visits are covered by Medicare Part B, but you typically owe a copay (usually $20 to $50) after you have met your annual deductible.

If you schedule a visit for a specific complaint — like knee pain or a cough — that is a sick visit, even if your doctor also does a full physical exam during the same appointment. The visit will be billed as a sick visit, and you will owe a copay. To keep the visit as a preventive wellness visit, tell your doctor in advance that you want a yearly physical and avoid bringing up new symptoms or complaints during that appointment.

What to bring to your appointment

Bring your Medicare card and any photo ID. If you have seen this doctor before, bring a list of any new medications you are taking, any recent health changes, and any questions you want to discuss. If this is your first visit with the doctor, arrive early to complete new patient paperwork.

If you have had recent lab work done at another facility, bring those results so your doctor can review them. This helps your doctor avoid ordering duplicate tests and saves you potential out-of-pocket costs.

When to schedule your yearly physical

You can schedule your yearly physical at any time during the year. Many people schedule it around their birthday or at the start of the calendar year, but the timing is up to you. Medicare covers one wellness visit per 12-month period, so if you had a visit in March, your next covered visit would be in March of the following year.

If you are new to Medicare, your first covered physical is the "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit, which you should schedule within your first year of Part B coverage. After that, you are covered for one Annual Wellness Visit per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay anything for my yearly physical?

No. The Annual Wellness Visit itself is covered at no cost under Medicare Part B. You do not owe a copay, coinsurance, or deductible for the visit. However, if your doctor orders lab work or imaging that Medicare does not classify as preventive, you may owe a cost for those tests.

What if I have not had a physical in several years?

You can still schedule your yearly physical now. Medicare will cover it at no cost. If you are new to Medicare, schedule your "Welcome to Medicare" visit within your first year. After that, you are covered for one Annual Wellness Visit per calendar year.

Can I get my yearly physical at an urgent care or walk-in clinic?

Most urgent care and walk-in clinics do not offer the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit. You need to see a primary care doctor or internist who accepts Medicare and can bill the visit as a preventive wellness exam. Call your doctor's office to schedule.

What if my doctor finds something wrong during the physical?

If your doctor finds a health issue during your yearly physical, any follow-up visits, tests, or treatment for that issue are separate from the wellness visit. Those services are covered under Medicare Part B with your usual copay and deductible rules. Your doctor will discuss next steps and costs with you.

Can I have my yearly physical done by telehealth or video visit?

Yes. Medicare covers the Annual Wellness Visit by video if your doctor offers it. Call your doctor's office to ask whether they provide telehealth visits and whether they can bill your yearly physical as a video appointment.