A wellness exam is a type of preventative care that focuses on maintaining wellness and stopping health problems before they occur. It is typically an annual visit separate from other medical visits related to illness or injury. While wellness exams are usually covered by insurance, your insurance might not cover all expenses involved with the visit, such as labs or tests. Most insurance plans pay for one wellness exam each year. During a wellness exam, your doctor will provide a status update on your overall health and guide you to make choices that promote better health. They may include the following:
- A physical examination
- Checking your vitals
- Checking BMI
- Examination of personal and family medical histories
- Discussion of current lifestyle and health choices
- Screenings
- Shots and immunizations
- Establishing a plan for your health
A wellness exam is different from a problem-oriented visit, which is used to diagnose a current health problem. An annual physical exam is more extensive than a wellness exam and includes routine measurements where the doctor physically examines you. The Medicare annual wellness visit allows your health-care provider to conduct a health risk assessment and propose screenings and prevention strategies. Your Medicare wellness visit does not include a detailed physical exam or management of chronic or new medical problems.
