Medicare does not cover annual physical exams, but it does provide preventive services such as the "Welcome to Medicare" visit and the annual wellness visit, which include measurements, screenings, counseling, and referrals for preventive care. While these visits are not traditional physical exams, they are designed to help beneficiaries stay healthy. It's important to be aware of the coverage and potential costs associated with medical issues addressed during these visits, and to verify coverage details with healthcare providers and insurance plans.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services introduced the annual wellness visit (AWV) in 2011 to encourage preventive care and provide better reimbursement to primary care practices. However, a decade later, the value of the AWV is being questioned. Evidence of cost savings and improved health outcomes is lacking, and the visit process often sidelines patient concerns. Primary care practices have found ways to accommodate more AWVs, but this can strain appointment access and resources. Instead, innovative approaches like proactive outreach through patient portals and text messaging may be more effective in achieving preventive care goals. Enhanced reimbursement for non-procedural visits and progressive payment models that reward preventive care achievements would better serve primary care practices.
