A vital part of staying healthy involves proactive healthcare, and a key component of this, especially for Medicare beneficiaries, is the annual wellness visit with your Wellness Doctor or healthcare provider. During this visit, you’ll be asked to complete a “Health Risk Assessment” questionnaire. This crucial step helps you and your wellness doctor create or update a personalized prevention plan, ensuring you gain the most from your appointment and stay on the path to wellness.
This comprehensive visit is designed to be a roadmap for your health in the coming year and typically includes several important elements:
What to Expect During Your Wellness Visit
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Routine Health Measurements: Your wellness doctor will start with basic but essential measurements such as your height, weight, and blood pressure. These metrics provide a baseline and help track changes over time.
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Comprehensive Medical History Review: Be prepared to discuss both your personal and family medical history. This review helps your wellness doctor understand potential hereditary risks and past health issues that could impact your current and future wellness plan.
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Medication Review: It’s important to bring a list of your current prescriptions. Your wellness doctor will review these to ensure there are no interactions or redundancies and to confirm they are still the most appropriate medications for your health needs.
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Personalized Health Advice: This is a cornerstone of the wellness visit. Based on the information gathered, your wellness doctor will offer tailored advice to improve your health habits, manage existing conditions, and prevent future health problems. This advice is specifically designed for you and your unique health profile.
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Advance Care Planning: Planning for your future healthcare needs is a thoughtful and important step. Your visit may include a discussion about advance care planning, allowing you to make informed decisions about your future medical care in various scenarios.
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Preventive Screening Schedule: Your wellness doctor will provide a personalized screening schedule, acting as a checklist for recommended preventive services. This ensures you stay on track with necessary screenings relevant to your age, gender, and health risks, facilitating early detection and intervention when needed.
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Social Determinants of Health Risk Assessment: Understanding that your social environment significantly impacts your health, your wellness doctor may also include an optional assessment of your social needs. This helps identify social factors that could be affecting your health and allows for a more holistic approach to your treatment and wellness plan.
Cognitive Health Assessment: An Important Part of Your Wellness Check
Recognizing the importance of cognitive health, your wellness doctor will also conduct a cognitive assessment during your wellness visit. This assessment is designed to identify any potential signs of cognitive impairment, including conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. Signs they may look for include difficulties with memory, learning new information, concentration, managing finances, and making everyday decisions.
Should your wellness doctor detect potential cognitive issues, Medicare covers a follow-up visit for a more in-depth evaluation. This comprehensive review can help diagnose conditions such as dementia, depression, anxiety, or delirium, allowing for the development of a tailored care plan to address these specific needs and support your overall wellness.
Important Note on Substance Use and Opioid Prescriptions:
If you are currently prescribed opioids, your wellness doctor will thoroughly review potential risk factors for opioid use disorder. They will assess your pain severity, current treatment plan, and provide information on non-opioid pain management options. If necessary, they may refer you to a specialist for further support.
Similarly, your wellness doctor will discuss potential risk factors for substance use disorders, including alcohol and tobacco use. If needed, they can provide referrals for appropriate treatment and resources to support your journey toward improved wellness and health.
