Annual wellness visits 101: What to expect and how to prepare
No matter how healthy you feel today, there’s a powerful step you can take toward feeling your best: Schedule your annual wellness visit.
An annual wellness visit (AWV) is one of your best tools for staying on top of your health. It gives you time to talk with your doctor about your health risks and learn ways to stay healthy and injury free.
Your doctor might even recommend new habits to add to your routine. Plus, your visit will help you stay up to date on your preventive screenings and other tests.
There’s no cost to you for this appointment when received in network. It’s one of the perks of being a Medicare member. So, why not take advantage of it? Here’s what to expect:
You’ll complete a health risk assessment
Your provider will ask you to fill out a questionnaire called a health risk assessment. Your answers can help you and your provider develop a prevention plan to help you stay healthy.
Your visit may include:
- A review of your medical, social, and family history
- A checklist of appropriate preventive services
- Advanced care planning
- A review of your current conditions and prescriptions
- Height, weight, blood pressure, and other routine measurements
- Personalized health advice
- A list of risk factors and treatment options
Your doctor will also check for signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Signs of cognitive impairment include having difficulty with the following:
- Remembering things or learning new things
- Concentrating
- Making decisions about your everyday life
If your provider thinks you may have cognitive impairment, Medicare covers a separate visit for a more thorough review to check for conditions such as dementia, depression, anxiety, and delirium.
Here are some things you should cover during your visit:
What’s my BMI (and why is it important)? Your body mass index, or BMI, is calculated from your height and weight and is used to identify possible weight concerns. Your doctor can let you know if you’re outside the normal range.
Is my blood pressure under control? Regular blood pressure screenings can help determine whether you’re at risk of other health issues such as heart disease and stroke.
How can I prevent falls? Falls are the leading cause of injuries in older adults, so talk to your doctor about getting a fall-risk assessment. Here are a few additional ways to prevent falls:
- Stay active
- Manage your medications
- Have your vision checked
How can I stop smoking? If you use tobacco, your doctor can connect you with resources to help you quit.
How should I exercise? And what foods should I eat? If you have trouble making time to exercise or eat right, talk to your doctor about how to integrate healthy decisions and habits into your daily routine.
How can I stay mentally strong? Let your doctor know if you’ve been feeling down lately. They can connect you with a therapist who can help.
Sometimes I leak a bit of urine. What can I do about that? Urinary incontinence may become more common as you age. Tell your doctor if you’ve been leaking urine. They can help you find out why it’s happening and make a plan to manage it.
Which preventive screenings do I need? Preventive screenings are a vital part of keeping you healthy, especially as you get older. But the type (and frequency) of screenings is different for everyone. Good places to start:
- Breast cancer screening
- Colorectal cancer screening
- Testing your bone mineral density (for osteoporosis)
- Evaluation of risk for kidney disease
Dr. Heidi says:
Your AWV is also a great time to review your medications, supplements, and vitamins. Bring a list of what you’re taking, and the doses. Or toss them all in a bag and bring the bottles.
Schedule your annual wellness visit
Book your AWV today! When calling your doctor, let them know you are scheduling an AWV. Need help scheduling? Call our Member Help Team for assistance.
