What the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit covers
The Annual Wellness Visit is a free preventive care appointment covered by Medicare Part B once every 12 months. It is not a full physical exam — it focuses on reviewing your overall health, spotting risks early, and making a plan to keep you well.
During this visit, your doctor or nurse practitioner will ask about your medical history, current medications, and any health concerns. They will check your blood pressure, weight, and height. They may also assess your memory and thinking, ask about your mood, and review whether you are up to date on cancer screenings and vaccinations. The visit typically lasts 15 to 30 minutes.
At the end, your doctor creates a written summary called a Personalized Prevention Plan. This document lists any health risks they found, what screenings or follow-up visits you may need, and what steps you can take at home — like exercise, diet changes, or stress management — to stay healthier.
Key Takeaways
- Medicare Part B covers one Annual Wellness Visit per year at no cost to you, with no copay or deductible.
- The visit is a prevention-focused check-in, not a full physical, and includes blood pressure, weight, memory screening, and a review of your medications.
- Your doctor will give you a written Personalized Prevention Plan listing any health risks and next steps you should take.
- You must have been enrolled in Medicare Part B for at least 12 months before your first Annual Wellness Visit.
- The visit is separate from any sick visits or specialist appointments you may need during the year.
Who can have an Annual Wellness Visit
You are covered for this visit if you are enrolled in Medicare Part B and have been for at least 12 months. This means if you just turned 65 and signed up for Medicare, you will need to wait a full year before your first Annual Wellness Visit is covered.
You do not need to be in Original Medicare only — if you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), your plan must also cover the Annual Wellness Visit at no cost. Check your plan documents or call the plan to confirm the visit is included and whether you need to use an in-network provider.
There is no age limit. Whether you are 65 or 95, you are covered for one visit per calendar year.
How to schedule your Annual Wellness Visit
Call your primary care doctor's office and ask to schedule an Annual Wellness Visit (some offices call it a "wellness exam" or "preventive visit"). Tell them you have Medicare and want to use your covered annual visit. The office staff will confirm that Medicare Part B will cover it.
If you do not have a primary care doctor, you can contact your Medicare Advantage plan for a list of in-network doctors, or search for doctors in your area on Medicare.gov. You can also call your local Area Agency on Aging — they can help you find a doctor who takes Medicare.
Schedule the visit during a time when you are not sick or dealing with an urgent health problem. The Annual Wellness Visit is meant to be a preventive check-in, not a treatment visit for an active illness. If you are sick, see your doctor for a sick visit instead, and schedule the wellness visit for another time.
What to bring to your appointment
Bring your Medicare card and any insurance card you have. Bring a list of all medications you take — including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements — or bring the bottles themselves. Write down any questions or health concerns you want to discuss.
If you have had recent lab work or test results from another doctor, bring those records or ask that office to send them ahead. This helps your doctor see a fuller picture of your health without repeating tests.
Wear comfortable, loose clothing so your doctor can easily check your blood pressure and weight. Plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to allow time for check-in.
What happens after your visit
Your doctor will give you a copy of your Personalized Prevention Plan before you leave. This plan lists any health risks they found, what screenings or tests you may need (such as a colonoscopy, mammogram, or blood work), and what you can do at home to stay well.
If your doctor found something that needs follow-up — such as high blood pressure or a need for a cancer screening — they will tell you what to do next. Some follow-ups may require a separate appointment or referral to a specialist. Other recommendations may be things you can start on your own, like increasing physical activity or changing your diet.
Keep your Personalized Prevention Plan in a safe place. Bring it to future doctor visits so your healthcare team can see what was discussed and what you are working on.
The difference between an Annual Wellness Visit and a physical exam
Many people think the Annual Wellness Visit is the same as a yearly physical, but they are different. A physical exam is a more thorough head-to-toe evaluation that includes listening to your heart and lungs, checking your reflexes, and examining your abdomen. A physical is usually billed as an office visit and may have a copay depending on your plan.
The Annual Wellness Visit is shorter and focused on prevention — reviewing your health history, checking vital signs, and spotting risks. It does not include a full physical exam. If you need a physical exam for work, a sports activity, or another reason, that is a separate visit and may be billed differently.
You can have both in the same year. Some people schedule their Annual Wellness Visit and then ask their doctor to do a full physical at the same appointment. Ask your doctor's office whether they can do both and how it will be billed.
Common reasons your Annual Wellness Visit may be delayed or denied
If your doctor's office says Medicare will not cover your Annual Wellness Visit, it is usually for one of these reasons: you have not been enrolled in Medicare Part B for a full 12 months yet; you already had an Annual Wellness Visit earlier in the same calendar year; or your doctor is not enrolled as a Medicare provider.
If you believe you are covered and the office is refusing to schedule you, you can call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to confirm your coverage. You can also file a complaint with Medicare if you are charged for a visit that should have been free.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan and your in-network doctor will not schedule the visit, contact your plan's customer service line. They can help resolve the issue or direct you to another in-network provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay anything for the Annual Wellness Visit?
No. Medicare Part B covers the entire visit at no cost — no copay, no deductible, no coinsurance. If your doctor's office tries to charge you, ask them to bill Medicare and contact Medicare if the charge is not removed.
Can I have the visit done by a nurse practitioner or physician assistant instead of a doctor?
Yes. A nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or other may have access to healthcare provider can perform the Annual Wellness Visit and it will be covered by Medicare. The provider must be enrolled with Medicare.
What if I miss my Annual Wellness Visit — can I have it later in the year?
Yes. You can schedule your Annual Wellness Visit anytime during the calendar year. If you miss it in January, you can still have it in December and it will be covered. However, you only get one per calendar year, so plan ahead.
Will the Annual Wellness Visit find serious health problems?
The visit is designed to spot early signs of common health risks and recommend screenings, but it is not a diagnostic tool. If your doctor finds something concerning, they will refer you for further testing or specialist care. The visit helps prevent problems before they become serious.
Can I use my Annual Wellness Visit to talk about a specific health problem I have?
You can mention health concerns during the visit, but the Annual Wellness Visit is focused on prevention and overall health review. If you have an active medical problem that needs treatment, schedule a separate sick visit with your doctor so they have time to address it properly.