Physical Exam vs. Medicare Wellness Visit
Confusion often arises about the difference between a Physical Exam and a Medicare Wellness Visit. Your doctor usually determines which one you need by focusing on what’s wrong versus what’s right. It’s important to understand that Medicare Part B covers many preventive services, including these visits. Both play an important role, and the choice depends on your circumstances.
When Do You Need a Physical Exam?
When you feel sick or in pain and need treatment, your doctor performs a physical exam. This exam helps identify the problem and guides treatment.
When Do You Need a Wellness Exam?
When you feel well and want to maintain your health, your doctor conducts a wellness exam. This visit helps the doctor understand what’s working and how to support your ongoing well-being.
In both the physical exam and the wellness visit, your doctor carries out a series of tasks to identify what supports your health and what may cause problems.
What’s Included In A Physical Exam?
A physical examination is an assessment of your body’s health and the primary purpose of a physical exam is to identify health problems.
Based on the results of your body’s assessment, your doctor can identify what the causes of your health concerns are or what factors can lead to possible health problems for you.
A physical exam includes:-
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Visually check your body overall for signs of existing health issues
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Look into your eyes, ears, nose and throat for potential problems
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Listen to your heart and lungs to detect irregular sounds
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Touch parts of your body to feel for abnormalities
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Test your motor function and reflexes
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Perform pelvic and rectal exams
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Measure your height, weight and blood pressure
It’s important to note that Medicare does not cover your annual physical exam nor the tests that your doctor orders.
What’s Included In A Medicare Wellness Visit?
A Medicare Wellness Visit, also referred to as a wellness exam is an assessment of your body’s overall health and wellness and serves the purpose of prevention.
A wellness exam helps your doctor compare your results with your medical history and assess your risk of common preventable health problems.
A wellness exam includes:-
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Review of your health risk assessment
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Confirming medical and family history
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Record your current prescriptions and providers
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Measure and document your height, weight, and blood pressure
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Look for signs of memory loss, dementia, or frailty
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Document your health risk factors and treatment options
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Provide personalized health advice
Medicare Part B covers a wellness exam, unlike a physical exam. It also covers many preventive screenings without co-payments or deductibles.
Many individuals skip or avoid physical exams simply because of over-testing, potentially false positive results and unnecessary costs. While you have the option to choose whether or not you want an annual physical exam and wellness visit it’s critically important to your health that you make the right decision.
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