What Is a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit?
A Medicare annual wellness visit is a once-yearly appointment covered by Medicare Part B. This visit helps evaluate your current health, identify potential risk factors, and create a personalized prevention plan for the year ahead.
Unlike an annual physical exam, this visit doesn't involve a head-to-toe physical examination. Instead, it focuses on:
Reviewing your medical history
Checking your health status
Updating your list of risk factors
Creating a wellness plan
Discussing ways to help prevent disease
Reviewing health screenings you may need
Helping you monitor your overall health
It's fully covered by Medicare when you visit once every 12 months and meets Medicare's requirements.
Two Types of Medicare Wellness Visits:
Initial Preventive Physical Examination (Welcome to Medicare Visit):
This one-time visit happens within the first 12 months of getting Medicare Part B. During this comprehensive exam, your doctor reviews your medical history, performs a physical examination, assesses your health status, checks vital signs, performs screening tests based on your age and risk factors, and creates your initial wellness plan.
Annual Medicare Wellness Visit:
After your first year on Medicare, you're eligible for an annual wellness checkup every 12 months. This visit focuses on preventive care and early detection rather than treating existing conditions.
What's the Difference from a Regular Physical Exam?
Medicare annual wellness exams differ from traditional annual physical exams in important ways. The wellness check focuses on prevention—creating a personalized prevention plan, updating your health risk assessment, reviewing medications, and identifying risk factors. A comprehensive physical exam includes hands-on examination of body systems, diagnostic testing, and treating acute problems—services that may require copayment under your insurance plan.
Many patients benefit from both types of visits. We help you understand what each includes and when to schedule each.
What Happens During Your Annual Wellness Visit
Your Medicare Wellness Checkup Step by Step
Before Your Visit:
Bring your insurance card, Medicare card, current medication list, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, and any health concerns you want to discuss. Gather information about your family medical history if you have it.
Health Risk Assessment:
You'll complete a health risk assessment questionnaire covering your medical and family history, current health conditions and symptoms, medications and supplements, daily activities and exercise, diet and nutrition, mood and mental health, tobacco and alcohol use, and safety concerns like fall risks.
This assessment helps identify potential risk factors that need attention.
Vital Signs and Measurements:
We check your height, weight, body mass index, blood pressure, and other vital signs. These measurements track changes over time and identify concerns.
Review Your Medical History:
Your physician reviews your current health conditions, medications you're taking, any recent hospitalizations or emergency visits, new symptoms or concerns, and results from any recent tests or screenings.
Physical Measurements:
While the medicare wellness visit doesn't include a comprehensive physical examination like an annual physical exam, we do check basic physical measurements, including blood pressure, pulse, vision screening, and other assessments based on your current health and risk factors.
Cognitive Assessment:
We screen for memory problems and cognitive changes that might indicate dementia or other concerns requiring further evaluation.
Preventive Care Planning:
Based on your current health status and list of risk factors, we create or update your personalized prevention plan. This includes:
- Recommended screening tests (colonoscopy, mammogram, bone density, etc.)
- Needed vaccinations like flu shots and pneumonia vaccines
- Diet and exercise recommendations
- Fall prevention strategies
- Chronic disease management goals
- Referrals to specialists if needed
Advanced Care Planning:
We discuss advance directives, healthcare proxies, and your wishes for future medical care if you become unable to make decisions.
Schedule Your Follow-Up:
Before you leave, we will schedule next year's annual wellness exam and any additional tests or appointments recommended in your prevention plan.
📞 Ready to schedule your annual physical exam in Sugar Land? Call (713) 636-2621 today.
Our Approach to Primary Care in Sugar Land
Family Medicine Providing Complete Care
Medicare-Focused Practice:
We understand Medicare benefits and help you maximize coverage. Our staff handles Medicare paperwork, knows what's covered under Medicare Part B, schedules preventive services properly, and coordinates care to avoid unnecessary costs.
Lifetime Primary Care:
Whether you're new to Medicare or you've been on it for years, we provide ongoing care throughout your Medicare years and beyond. Continuity matters—having a doctor who knows your history leads to better health outcomes.
Internal Medicine and Family Medicine Expertise:
Our board-certified physicians have training in both family medicine and internal medicine. We handle complex medical situations, manage multiple chronic conditions, and provide care planning that addresses your complete health picture.
Serving Fulshear and Sugar Land:
We're conveniently located to serve patients throughout Sugar Land, Fulshear, Richmond, Katy, and the greater Houston area. Our office at 20403 University Blvd is easy to reach.
Same-Day Appointments Available:
When you're sick between wellness visits, we offer same-day appointments to address acute illness quickly.
Personalized Care:
We treat you as an individual, not a number. Your wellness plan reflects your unique health needs, goals, and circumstances.
💻 New to our practice? Book your first appointment online today.
Core Primary Care's Complete Healthcare Services
Your Medical Home for All Health Needs
Chronic Disease Management:
We help patients manage diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, COPD, arthritis, and other ongoing conditions through regular monitoring, medication management, lifestyle guidance, and coordination with specialists.
Acute Care:
When you're sick, we're here with same-day appointments for respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, injuries, skin problems, and other urgent issues.
Additional Preventive Services:
Beyond Medicare annual wellness visits, we provide vaccinations, health screenings, cancer screening coordination, and other preventive care services.
Medication Reviews:
Comprehensive medication reviews ensure all your drugs work together safely and effectively.
Care Coordination:
When you need specialists, we provide referrals and coordinate your care across providers to ensure everyone works together toward your health goals.
Health Advice:
Between visits, you can contact our office with questions about medications, symptoms, or health concerns.
FAQs — Medicare Annual Wellness Visit in Sugar Land, TX
How often can I schedule an annual wellness visit?
Medicare allows one visit every 12 months.
Does the exam include bloodwork?
Not automatically. Additional tests are ordered when needed based on risks and your wellness plan.
Is the annual wellness exam covered by Medicare?
Yes. The visit is covered by Medicare when completed under Medicare Part B benefits.
What is the difference between a wellness visit and a physical exam?
A wellness exam focuses on prevention. A physical examination is hands-on. You may complete both in one appointment if recommended.
Do I need to fast for this visit?
Only if your provider orders fasting labs.
Are chronic conditions reviewed during this visit?
Yes. Your provider will review any chronic condition and update your plan.
How long does the visit take?
Most Medicare wellness visits take 30–45 minutes.
Can I ask questions during the visit?
Absolutely. This time is designed to address concerns and help you stay healthy.