Annual wellness visit 101

Want to talk to your doctor about your health and wellness?

Your annual wellness visit helps you stay on top of your health. It gives you time to talk with your doctor about your risk of illness and ways to stay healthy and injury-free. Your doctor might even recommend new habits for you to add to your routine. Plus, your visit will help you stay up to date on your preventive screenings and other tests.

What’s included in your annual wellness visit*

• A review of your medical history, current medications, and treatment plans
• A complete physical examination
• Screenings for high blood pressure, cancers, and other conditions
• A discussion about age-related concerns, such as memory loss, balance, and fall protection
• A conversation around vaccinations and boosters
• Answers to your health questions

Know what questions to ask
When you go in for your visit, your doctor will ask you many questions—but it’s important that you come with your own questions to discuss what’s on your mind, too. Here are some things you should cover during your visit:

• BMI: Your body mass index (BMI) is calculated from your height and weight and is used to identify possible weight concerns. Being overweight or underweight can have serious implications for your health. Your doctor can measure your height and weight and let you know if you are outside a normal BMI range.
• High blood pressure: Regular screenings for high blood pressure can help determine if you are at risk for other health issues like heart disease and stroke.
• Fall prevention: Falls are the leading cause of injuries in older Americans, so talk to your doctor about getting a fall-risk assessment. Staying active, managing your medications, having your vision checked, and making your home safer can also help you prevent a fall.
• Smoking: If you use tobacco, your doctor can connect you with resources to help you quit.
• Exercising and eating right: Two key parts of staying healthy are working out regularly and eating good-for-you foods that are rich in calcium, fiber, and lean proteins. If you’re having trouble making time to exercise or eat right, talk to your doctor about how to integrate healthy decisions and habits into your daily routine.
• Mental health: Changes in mood can be an important indicator of mental health. Let your doctor know if you’ve been feeling down lately.
• Bladder control: Urinary incontinence may become more common as you age. Tell your doctor if you have been leaking urine by accident so you can find out why it’s happening and make a plan to manage the issue.
• Preventive screenings: Preventive screenings are an important part of keeping you healthy—especially as you get older. But the type (and frequency) of screenings that you need might be different than that of your neighbors or friends. Screening for breast cancer and colorectal cancer and getting bone mineral density (osteoporosis) testing are good places to start. Talk to your doctor about what screenings you need and how/when to schedule those.

* If you receive a separate, additional non-preventive evaluation and/or service, a copayment will apply. The copayment amount depends on the provider type or place of service.

Take action today
Call your primary care physician (PCP) right away to schedule your 2022 annual wellness or “Welcome to Medicare” visit. Be sure to mention that you’re scheduling an annual wellness visit so they schedule the right amount of time for you, and so your doctor knows what to expect. To find a PCP, visit www.ibxmedicare.com/providerfinder.