In most cases, there is no co-pay or deductible for these services if your doctor or healthcare provider accepts Medicare. While some of the preventive services are available for everyone with Medicare, other services have criteria or risk factors to meet such as age, gender, or family history. Beginning in 2012, Medicare will require Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to also offer most preventive services at no cost sharing if received in network.
Medicare is also now covering Annual Wellness Visit at no cost. This annual physical allows individuals and their doctors to create a personalized prevention plan to reduce the risks of chronic disease and to follow up every year. The visit is available to all people with Medicare Part B at no cost which is covered once every 12 months. The annual wellness visit must be performed by a health professional. The check up includes some of the follow: A review of the individual’s medical and family history, a review of the medications they take, creating a list of the person’s current doctors and medical providers, height and weight measurement, body mass index, blood pressure screening, detection of any cognitive impairment, review of possible risk factors for depression and more. Stickney Township Office on Aging has a senior advocate on staff to learn more about the Medicare part B preventative and wellness benefits.
For more information on the preventative benefits and the annual wellness visit, please call Stickney Township Office on Aging at (708) 636-8850.