Annual Wellness Visit

Annual Wellness Visit vs. Annual Physical: What's the Difference?

While both an Annual Wellness Visit and an Annual Physical are important for maintaining your health, they are designed for different purposes and may be covered differently by insurance, including Medicare.

What is an Annual Wellness Visit?

An Annual Wellness Visit is a comprehensive review primarily focused on preventive care and long-term health planning. It’s designed to assess your overall health and well-being, not to treat specific health concerns.

• Coverage: Fully covered by Medicare, Marketplace health plans, and some other insurance plans.
• Key Features:
• Health Risk Assessment: Your nurse will conduct a thorough review of your medical history, lifestyle, and potential risk factors to assess your health risks.
• Medication Review: The nurse will review all medications, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements, to ensure they are appropriate and effective.
• Personalized Health Advice: Based on the assessment, your nurse will provide tailored health advice and preventive recommendations. This may include lifestyle changes, necessary screenings (e.g., colonoscopy or mammogram), and vaccinations.
• Personalized Prevention Plan: The goal is to create a prevention plan specific to your health needs and goals, helping you manage chronic conditions and prevent future issues.
• Advance Care Planning: Discuss future healthcare decisions in case you are unable to communicate or make decisions for yourself due to serious illness.
• Note: This visit does not include the diagnosis or treatment of specific health conditions like the cold, flu, or injury. If you have a health concern, you will need a separate appointment.

What is an Annual Physical?

An Annual Physical is a more traditional, in-depth examination focused on assessing your current health and diagnosing any existing conditions. This appointment includes hands-on assessments and may include various diagnostic tests.

• Coverage: Typically covered by private insurance but not by Medicare.
• Key Features:
• Comprehensive Physical Examination: Your physician will conduct a thorough check-up, including vital signs, heart and lung function, and other health indicators.
• Screening Tests and Labs: Includes various screenings and tests such as blood pressure measurement, cholesterol screening, blood glucose testing, and other lab work based on your age and health risks.
• Diagnostic Tests: If necessary, your doctor may order additional tests like X-rays, EKGs, or other diagnostics to assess specific concerns.
• Addressing Current Health Issues: Unlike the wellness visit, this appointment is meant to address existing health conditions, helping you manage any ongoing health concerns and discuss treatment options.

Key Differences at a Glance:

• Focus:
• Wellness Visit: Preventive care and long-term health planning.
• Physical: Current health assessment and management of existing conditions.
• Tests and Procedures:
• Wellness Visit: No diagnostic tests, just assessments and advice.
• Physical: Includes comprehensive exams, lab tests, and diagnostic procedures.
• Insurance Coverage:
• Wellness Visit: Fully covered by Medicare.
• Physical: Often covered by private insurance, but not Medicare.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right appointment depends on your health needs. If you're looking for preventive care and a personalized health plan, the Annual Wellness Visit is a great choice. If you need a detailed physical check-up or have existing health concerns, the Annual Physical is more appropriate.

Schedule Your Visit Today

For more information or to schedule your appointment, please call 954-434-1705.