The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is a free checkup once a year that focuses on prevention and planning

Medicare covers one wellness visit per year at no cost to you — no copay, no deductible. The visit is not a full physical exam. Instead, your doctor spends time reviewing your health history, checking your current medications, and talking about preventive care you might need based on your age and risk factors. The goal is to catch health problems early and make a plan for the year ahead.

You must be enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to get this visit covered. If you are on a Medicare Advantage plan, your plan may offer a similar visit, but the rules and coverage differ — check your plan documents or call the plan directly. The visit must happen at your primary care doctor's office or a federally may have access to health center. Telehealth visits may be covered in some cases, but you should confirm with your doctor's office first.

Key Takeaways

  • The annual wellness visit is free under Original Medicare and happens once per calendar year with your primary care doctor.
  • Your doctor will review medications, past health problems, and family history, then discuss which preventive screenings you need based on your age.
  • You must schedule the visit yourself — Medicare does not send a reminder or schedule it for you.
  • The visit creates a written plan that lists your health goals and any preventive services recommended for the coming year.

What Your Doctor Will Do During the Visit

Your doctor will take a complete health history if this is your first wellness visit with them, or update the one on file. They will ask about past illnesses, surgeries, injuries, and current symptoms. They will also review all medications and supplements you take — bring a list or the bottles themselves, because over-the-counter drugs and vitamins matter too.

Your doctor will check your weight, height, and blood pressure. They may ask about your mood, memory, and ability to do daily tasks like cooking or paying bills. They will discuss your family history of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other conditions. Based on what they learn, they will recommend which preventive screenings you should have — for example, a colonoscopy if you are due, a mammogram, a bone density test, or blood work.

At the end of the visit, your doctor will give you a written summary that lists your health problems, your medications, and the preventive services they recommend. This document is yours to keep and take to other doctors if needed.

Preventive Services Covered at No Cost

If your doctor recommends a preventive service during the wellness visit — such as a blood test, an EKG, or a cancer screening — Medicare covers it at no cost when it is done as part of the wellness visit or within a certain timeframe after. However, if the test finds a problem and your doctor needs to do more testing or treatment to diagnose or fix it, that follow-up care may have a copay or deductible.

For example, if a screening colonoscopy finds a polyp and your doctor removes it, the removal is considered treatment, not prevention, and you may owe a copay. Your doctor should tell you before the procedure if they think they may find and treat something, so you know what to expect cost-wise.

How to Schedule Your Annual Wellness Visit

Call your primary care doctor's office and ask to schedule your annual wellness visit. Tell them you have Medicare and want the preventive care visit covered under your benefits. The office staff should know what this is — if they seem confused, ask to speak to the billing department and explain that you want the visit billed as a Medicare wellness visit.

You can have the visit anytime during the calendar year. There is no important date, but scheduling it early in the year gives you time to complete any preventive screenings your doctor recommends before the year ends. Bring your insurance card, a photo ID, and a list of all medications and supplements you take. If you have had recent test results from another doctor, bring those too.

What Happens if You Have a Medicare Advantage Plan

Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) must cover an annual wellness visit, but the details vary by plan. Some plans cover it the same way Original Medicare does — at no cost with your in-network doctor. Others may have different rules about which doctors you can see or what is included.

Call your plan's customer service number (on your insurance card) and ask about your annual wellness visit benefit. Ask whether you need a referral, whether you can see any doctor or only in-network doctors, and whether the visit is truly free or if there is a copay. Your plan should also send you information about preventive care covered under your plan, which may include services beyond what Original Medicare covers.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not assume your doctor will schedule the visit for you. Medicare does not send reminders, and many people miss their yearly visit because they did not realize they had to call and book it themselves. Mark your calendar and call your doctor's office early in the year.

Do not confuse the wellness visit with a sick visit. If you go to your doctor because you have a cough or chest pain, that is a problem-focused visit, not a wellness visit, and different billing rules explore. The wellness visit is for people who are not acutely ill and want to focus on prevention.

Do not expect the wellness visit to replace a full physical exam if you have not had one in years. The wellness visit is preventive in nature. If your doctor thinks you need a comprehensive physical to diagnose or treat an existing condition, that is a separate visit and may have a copay.

What to Bring and How to Prepare

Bring your Medicare card and a photo ID. Write down all medications and supplements you take, including the dose and how often you take them — or bring the bottles. If you have been to other doctors recently, bring any test results or records they gave you. Write down any health concerns or questions you want to discuss, so you do not forget during the visit.

Wear clothes that are straightforward to remove if your doctor needs to check your blood pressure or listen to your heart. Eat a normal breakfast unless your doctor told you to fast for blood work. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to allow time for check-in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay anything for the annual wellness visit?

No. Under Original Medicare, the annual wellness visit is free — you pay nothing. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check your plan documents or call customer service, as some plans may have different rules, though most cover it at no cost.

Can I have the wellness visit at an urgent care or walk-in clinic?

The visit must be at your primary care doctor's office or a federally may have access to health center to be covered as a wellness visit. Urgent care clinics and emergency rooms do not bill this type of visit the same way, so you may end up with a copay or deductible.

What if I have not seen a doctor in several years?

You can still have the annual wellness visit. Your doctor will take a complete health history and do a thorough review. However, if your doctor finds a health problem that needs treatment, that treatment is separate from the wellness visit and may have a copay.

Does the wellness visit count as my yearly physical?

The wellness visit is preventive and focuses on screening and planning. If you need a full physical exam to diagnose or treat a specific health problem, that is a separate visit. Ask your doctor whether you need both.

What if my doctor recommends a test I do not want?

You can decline any test or screening. Your doctor will document your choice in your medical record. You are in control of your care, and your doctor should respect your decisions.