Page 21 - Evaluation for 2018

Medicare's free wellness and preventive benefits

In recent years Medicare has greatly expanded the number of preventive services that it provides at no
cost. These services are free in traditional Medicare and also in Medicare Advantage plans.

"Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit

This benefit is available during the first 12 months you are enrolled in Medicare. It includes a

physical exam as well as a review of your medical history and the prescription drugs you are
taking. Your doctor will prepare a list or recommended preventive tests and a schedule showing
when you should take them. After you're enrolled in Medicare, call your doctor's office and ask
to schedule your free "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit. It is a good way to get your
Medicare coverage started.

Annual wellness visit

If you've had Part B for more than 12 months and it's also been a year since your "Welcome to
Medicare" visit, you can schedule a free annual wellness visit. There's no cost if your doctor
accepts Medicare assignment. This benefit does not include a physical exam. Instead, your

doctor prepares a wellness plan for you for the coming year. If additional tests are required as a
result of this visit, you may have co-payments.

Tests and screenings

Medicare pays 100% of the cost for recommended preventing tests and screenings. Occasionally
these tests might reveal a condition that requires a follow-up diagnostic exam, and Medicare
may not pay all of the costs for these secondary tests. But your supplemental insurance should
cover some or all of the amount that Medicare does not pay.

Immunizations

Medicare pays 100 percent of the cost for several immunizations, including flu shots,

Medicare pays the full cost for Medicare does not pay the full cost for
• Flu vaccinations most other vaccinations and immunizations.
• Pneumonia vaccinations Those are typically covered by Medicare Part D
• Hepatitis B shots (for people at and may require co-payments, depending on

medium to high risk) your plan. One example of a Part D covered
• Tetanus shots (but only for people vaccination is a shingles immunization. In
who've had an injury that might cause addition to the cost of the vaccine, doctors
tetanus). may charge for making a clinical determination
Note -- all of these are covered by of whether you need a particular vaccine as
Medicare Part B as routine preventive well the time required to administer the
immunizations. vaccination.

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