An Annual Wellness Visit is a special visit where you and your care team can focus on your overall health, keeping you healthy, and preventing or detecting disease. You and your healthcare team will create a Personalized Prevention Plan that is clear, easy to follow and unique to you. The healthcare plan can help you:
- Lower your healthcare costs
- Learn how to make small changes in your lifestyle to keep you healthy
- Detect diseases early, before they become a problem
- Review your medical conditions and current list of medications, vitamins and supplements
- Review preventive care, and see if you are up-to-date on your vaccines
An Annual Wellness Visit is a less extensive examination than a physical. What happens during a visit may vary depending on your age, health status and what your insurance will cover. During your visit, your healthcare team may:
- Talk about your personal medical history and your family’s medical history
- Give you a simple hearing test
- Talk about feelings of stress, anxiety, or depression
- Ask you questions about your lifestyle, daily routine, and memory
- Create a schedule to make sure you receive the preventive care you need
- Check your weight, height, blood pressure, and calculate your body mass index
- Create a Personalized Prevention Plan to address any health concerns you have
- Talk about who should make decisions about your healthcare if you become unable to speak for yourself
Some Annual Wellness Visits, such as for Medicare patients, may be free of cost to you. Check with your insurance provider to learn what is covered.
