Medicare beneficiaries often hear the phrase ‘annual wellness visit’ and assume it is just another name for an annual physical. This is one of the most common and consequential misconceptions in senior healthcare — and it leads many patients to feel confused or even shortchanged when they leave an appointment without the exam they expected. The wellness visit and the traditional physical exam are genuinely different, and understanding that distinction upfront means you can prepare appropriately, ask the right questions, and use your Medicare benefit to its full potential.
Adding to the confusion is the fact that Medicare offers several different wellness-related benefits — the Welcome to Medicare Preventive Visit (for first-year beneficiaries), the Annual Wellness Visit, and the possibility of separately billed preventive screenings — each with its own scope, coverage rules, and scheduling requirements. Many patients have never been clearly walked through what their Medicare plan actually covers in the wellness context, so they either skip the visit entirely or arrive expecting a full physical exam and leave disappointed.
Dr. Rofaida El Haj Mousa at Trusted Care Clinic in Richardson, TX works with Medicare patients to ensure they understand and fully utilize every benefit available to them. The clinic’s approach to annual wellness visits is designed to make the visit genuinely valuable — not a box-checking exercise, but a structured, personalized conversation about where your health stands and how to protect it going forward. Whether you are using Medicare for the first time or have been a beneficiary for years, this guide explains exactly what to expect.
What Is a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit?
A Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) is a preventive service covered at no cost to you under Medicare Part B — there is no copay or deductible when it is billed as an AWV and delivered by a Medicare-enrolled provider. The purpose of the AWV is to establish or update a personalized prevention plan based on your current health status, risk factors, and medical history. It is not designed to diagnose or treat illness — that distinction is important, as any treatment or evaluation of a specific condition that occurs during the same visit may be billed separately and subject to cost-sharing.
You become eligible for an Annual Wellness Visit after you have had Medicare Part B for at least 12 months. After the first AWV, you can receive one each subsequent year. It is distinct from the Welcome to Medicare preventive visit, which is a one-time benefit available in the first 12 months of enrollment. The AWV can be completed by a physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or certified nurse midwife. At Trusted Care Clinic, these visits are conducted by Dr. El Haj Mousa as part of the clinic’s primary care and wellness services.
What Is Included in the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit
Health Risk Assessment
Before or during the visit, you will complete a health risk assessment questionnaire. This covers your current health status, activity levels, dietary habits, cognitive function, emotional wellness, ability to perform daily activities, and social circumstances such as whether you have adequate support at home. The health risk assessment is one of the most valuable components of the AWV because it captures dimensions of health that routine clinical measurements miss — things like isolation, depression, fall risk, and functional decline that have enormous impacts on quality of life and long-term health outcomes.
Review and Update of Medical History
Your provider will review and update your complete medical history, including past and current medical conditions, medications (prescription, over-the-counter, and supplements), allergies, and any family medical history that may be relevant to your future risk. This review is particularly valuable for Medicare patients who may be managing several conditions simultaneously and who may be seeing multiple providers — consolidating an accurate medical history in primary care is essential for safe, coordinated care.
Vital Signs and BMI
Basic measurements including height, weight, BMI, blood pressure, and other relevant vital signs are recorded and compared to prior measurements. Trends over time in these measurements are frequently more informative than any single reading. Unexpected weight loss in older adults, for example, can be a significant clinical finding that warrants further evaluation. Blood pressure trends help assess cardiovascular risk and guide treatment decisions. These measurements are standard components of every annual wellness visit at Trusted Care Clinic, with results documented and tracked longitudinally.
Cognitive Screening
One of the distinctive features of the Medicare AWV compared to a standard office visit is the inclusion of cognitive impairment screening. Your provider will assess cognitive function through brief validated tools that can detect early signs of memory decline or cognitive impairment. Early detection of cognitive changes — even subtle ones — allows for timely referral, evaluation, and planning. Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias develop gradually, and identifying early warning signs creates the most opportunity for meaningful intervention and support planning.
Personalized Prevention Plan
Based on the health risk assessment, medical history review, and clinical findings, your provider develops a personalized prevention plan that documents recommended preventive services — screenings, vaccinations, and follow-up care — appropriate for your age, gender, and risk profile. This may include recommendations for colorectal cancer screening, mammography, bone density testing, flu and pneumonia vaccinations, and other age-appropriate preventive measures. The plan becomes part of your medical record and guides what care you should be receiving in the coming year and beyond. This is where the AWV differs most meaningfully from a routine sick visit — it looks forward, not just at the current moment.
What Is NOT Included in a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit
This is where the confusion most often occurs. The Medicare AWV does not include a physical examination of body systems, and it does not include the diagnosis or treatment of any illness. If a clinical issue is identified during the visit and your provider needs to conduct an examination or provide treatment for it, that portion of the visit will be billed as a separate office visit — which may be subject to your Medicare deductible and copay. Blood work, including routine lab panels, is also not automatically included in the AWV and may be billed separately. Patients who want a comprehensive physical exam with lab work alongside their wellness visit should discuss this with their provider before scheduling. Trusted Care Clinic’s diagnostic services can be coordinated alongside an AWV to ensure you receive everything appropriate for your health status.
How to Prepare for Your Medicare Wellness Visit
Before your appointment, gather your current medication list including all prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and supplements. Write down any health changes you have noticed since your last visit — new symptoms, changes in energy, sleep, mood, or cognitive function. Think about any family medical history you may not have shared previously, as this directly influences your prevention plan. If your clinic offers a pre-visit health risk questionnaire, completing it thoroughly before you arrive makes the visit more productive. Patients who come prepared with specific questions and complete health information get significantly more from the AWV than those who arrive unprepared. The annual wellness visit at Trusted Care Clinic is designed to create that foundation of ongoing preventive care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is covered in a Medicare annual wellness visit?
The AWV covers a health risk assessment, medical history review, vital signs, BMI, cognitive screening, depression screening, and a personalized prevention plan. It does not include a physical exam or lab work as standard components.
Q: Is the Medicare annual wellness visit free?
Yes. When billed correctly as an AWV and provided by a Medicare-enrolled provider, there is no copay or deductible. Any additional services provided during the same visit may be subject to cost-sharing.
Q: How often can I have a Medicare annual wellness visit?
Once per year, after the first 12 months of Medicare Part B enrollment. You cannot receive an AWV within 12 months of your previous one.
Q: What is the difference between a Medicare wellness visit and a physical exam?
The AWV is a preventive visit focused on health risk assessment and prevention planning. It does not include a physical examination of body systems. A physical exam is a separate service that may be billed alongside the AWV if clinically warranted.
Q: Does a Medicare annual wellness visit include blood work?
Not as a standard component. Lab tests may be ordered separately and may be subject to Medicare cost-sharing. Ask your provider which labs are covered and which may generate additional costs.
Q: What is the Welcome to Medicare preventive visit?
This is a one-time preventive benefit available in the first 12 months of Medicare Part B enrollment, distinct from the Annual Wellness Visit. It includes a health review, preventive services review, and baseline measurements.
Q: Can I see my doctor for other issues during an annual wellness visit?
Yes, but any additional services provided for a specific condition will be billed separately and may be subject to your Medicare deductible and copayment. Inform your provider upfront if you have additional concerns.
Q: What cognitive screening is done at the Medicare wellness visit?
Your provider uses brief validated screening tools to assess memory, attention, and cognitive function. Results help identify any early signs of cognitive impairment that warrant further evaluation.
Q: Who can perform a Medicare annual wellness visit?
A Medicare-enrolled physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or certified nurse midwife may perform the AWV. At Trusted Care Clinic, these visits are conducted by Dr. El Haj Mousa.
Q: How do I schedule a Medicare annual wellness visit in Richardson, TX?
Contact Trusted Care Clinic in Richardson, TX through thetrustedcares.com. The clinic’s team can verify your Medicare coverage and schedule your Annual Wellness Visit at your convenience.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Treatment recommendations vary based on individual circumstances, medical history, and clinical evaluation. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions about your health or medical care.
