Here we are 10 days into September(!) - school is back in full-swing, the winter visitors are beginning to arrive (Welcome, if you are already here!), and the stores are stocking all things, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and yes, even Christmas. The end of the year will be upon us soon, a good reminder that it is an excellent time to take a look at your health before we round the corner into 2020! When is the last time that you saw your healthcare provider for a Wellness Visit? What is a wellness visit? This is an opportunity for you and your healthcare provider to review and discuss age-appropriate screening, diagnostic testing, and immunizations. Depending on your personal and family history, some screening tests may vary. I feel fine. Why should I have a wellness visit if I’m healthy? It is wonderful if you feel that you are in good health, and our goal is to keep you that way! Unfortunately, as we age, many health problems are silent, they creep up on us subtly, and often by the time symptoms are present, long-term damage may have already been done. Having a Wellness Visit on a yearly basis, keeping current on recommended screening tests, and getting recommended immunizations are a great way to maintain your health, and to detect and manage any developing health problems as early as possible. Does my Insurance cover the visit? Many health plans cover Wellness Visits at no additional cost, and some health plans or employers even offer incentives to participants who get their yearly Wellness Visits. If your health plan is through Medicare, some information about what you may expect at an Annual Wellness Visit can be found here: https://www.medicareinteractive.org/get-answers/medicare-covered-services/preventive-services/annual-wellness-visit What is not covered in a wellness visit? A Wellness Visit is different from a problem-based or “sick” visit where you see your healthcare provider regarding a new or ongoing health problem. Wellness Visits are scheduled in a manner that allows preventative/screening health items to be reviewed, but may not allow for additional concerns. If you arrive at a Wellness Visit, but determine that you have a more urgent health concern, your Wellness Visit may be postponed to allow for evaluation of such a concern. If, during your Wellness Visit, it is determined that a health problem needs further investigation, associated diagnostic care may be billed to your health plan. If you haven’t had your wellness visit in the last year, give us a call and we will get you scheduled. If you aren’t sure if you have or not- it’s always a good idea to call your insurance carrier and double check with them (as they only cover one per rolling (or calendar) year. As always, thank you for partnering with us for your good health!
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