What Is a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit?
The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is a yearly check-in designed to assess your health risks and create a personalized prevention plan. As a Medicare preventive visit, its purpose is to support health maintenance, not to diagnose or treat new symptoms.
Many people confuse the AWV with a traditional annual physical exam, but they are different. A physical exam includes hands-on evaluations, diagnostic testing, and lab work. The AWV, however, centers on your medical and family history, lifestyle habits, functional and cognitive assessments, and the long-term strategies needed to stay ahead of health changes.
The AWV is covered by Medicare Part B once every 12 months for eligible patients. During this visit, your provider reviews your medical background, evaluates your risk factors, updates your medication and provider lists, and discusses preventive benefit options that support healthy aging.
This preventive benefit was created to help you identify concerns, such as fall risks, chronic disease risks, behavioral risks, and cognitive changes, before they become more serious. By understanding your health status early, you gain the ability to make informed decisions about screenings, lifestyle adjustments, and follow-up care.
Ultimately, the Annual Wellness Visit empowers you with clear information, preventive guidance, and a structured plan, key tools for maintaining long-term health and a high quality of life.
Difference Between AWV and Annual Physical Exam
A Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is not the same as a traditional annual physical exam. A physical involves a complete, hands-on evaluation, including diagnostic tests and routine lab work. The AWV does not include these components.
Instead, the AWV focuses on screenings, your medical and family history, a full medication review, cognitive assessments, and preventive care planning. Its purpose is to create a long-term strategy that supports overall health, rather than address immediate symptoms.
While both visits are valuable, the AWV is specifically designed to meet CMS preventive care guidelines and support early identification of risk factors, helping patients stay ahead of potential health concerns.
Have questions about which visit you need? Call our office—our team will guide you.
Medicare Part B Coverage Overview
Medicare covers the Annual Wellness Visit for eligible Medicare Part B patients once every 12 months. To qualify, you must have been enrolled in Part B for at least one year and not have received another AWV within the past 12 months.
The service is fully covered when all Medicare requirements are met, meaning there is no deductible or copay for the visit itself. Medicare Part B covers the Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE), the "Welcome to Medicare" visit during your first 12 months of enrollment.
Because the AWV is a preventive benefit, Medicare strongly encourages beneficiaries to use this service to maintain health, detect changes early, and keep up with recommended screenings.
Confirm your eligibility for a no-cost AWV by calling our Katy clinic today.
Preventive Benefit Explanation
The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit exists to support preventive care and reduce long-term health risks. CMS created this benefit to help patients stay healthy through early identification of risk factors, tailored lifestyle education, and a customized screening schedule.
The AWV focuses on maintaining your health and preventing risks. Instead of treating symptoms, it helps you plan ahead through screenings, immunizations, and future care decisions
Take advantage of your preventive benefits. Schedule your Annual Wellness Visit now.
What's Included in Your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit?
Complete Health Risk Assessment
Your AWV begins with a thorough health risk assessment that reviews your lifestyle habits, physical activity, nutrition, and daily routines. This assessment helps identify behavioral risks such as inactivity, fall risks, and substance use disorder concerns. It also screens for mental health conditions, stress levels, and emotional well-being.
Evaluating these factors early allows your provider to create a prevention plan focused on improving your long-term health, safety, and independence.
Call us to begin your Medicare Health Risk Assessment at your next visit.
Review of Medical and Family History
Your provider reviews your complete medical background, including your medical and surgical history, past diagnoses, previous medical events, allergies, and social history. Understanding your family health history is equally important, as many chronic illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, have hereditary patterns.
This conversation helps identify potential risk factors and highlights preventive services that may benefit you. Your provider will also assess your current symptoms, recent health changes, and overall medical and social history.
Bring your history records to your visit—schedule your AWV today.
Screening for Cognitive Impairment & Mental Health Conditions
The AWV includes screenings for cognitive impairment, such as memory concerns, confusion, or difficulty with concentration. Your provider may also screen for depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions using validated tools.
These assessments help detect early signs of dementia, cognitive decline, or emotional distress, conditions that respond best to early support and intervention.
If you've noticed memory changes, schedule your AWV to get screened early.
Functional Ability and Daily Living Assessment
Your provider evaluates your functional ability to determine how well you manage everyday tasks such as bathing, dressing, preparing meals, balance, and mobility. This assessment identifies fall risks, mobility issues, and potential safety concerns at home.
Your provider may recommend fall prevention strategies, physical therapy, or lifestyle adjustments when necessary to help you remain independent.
Maintain your independence—book your Annual Wellness Visit today.
Review of Current Providers, Medications & OTC Drugs
Your provider reviews your complete list of medications, including prescriptions, supplements, and over-the-counter medications, to ensure your current treatment plan is safe and effective. This step helps prevent drug interactions and identifies opportunities to simplify or improve your regimen.
Your AWV also updates your list of current providers, including specialists and therapists, to support coordinated and comprehensive care.
Keep your medication list updated—schedule your Medicare visit now.
Routine Measurements (Blood Pressure, BMI, etc.)
The visit includes routine measurements such as blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), height, weight, and other vital signs. These measurements help detect early health changes associated with heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.
Your provider uses these results to determine if any follow-up screenings or additional preventive services are recommended.
Stay on top of your vitals—call our clinic to schedule your AWV.
Initial Preventive Physical Exam (IPPE) for New Medicare Patients
The Initial Preventive Physical Exam (IPPE), often called the "Welcome to Medicare" visit, is a one-time preventive service offered during your first 12 months of Medicare Part B enrollment. This visit introduces you to Medicare's preventive benefits and helps establish a clear baseline of your current health.
During the IPPE, your provider reviews your medical and family history, evaluates your present health status, and discusses any risk factors that may require future monitoring. Our provider may include an electrocardiogram (ECG) during the visit when it is clinically appropriate. The IPPE also provides preventive counseling services, including education on nutrition, physical activity, chronic disease prevention, smoking cessation, and other Medicare-covered health topics.
The IPPE is offered exclusively to Medicare Part B patients who are attending their first Medicare preventive visit. Because it is a one-time benefit, it cannot be repeated after your first year of enrollment. Once the IPPE window closes, you transition to the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, which is available every 12 months.
The IPPE builds your initial health record because it's designed for new Medicare patients, while the AWV updates that record to reflect your evolving health needs
Patients throughout Katy, Cinco Ranch, Richmond, West Houston, and greater Fort Bend County rely on our clinic for a thorough and supportive "Welcome to Medicare" experience.
If you're new to Medicare, ask us about your "Welcome to Medicare" visit—call today.
Personalized Prevention Plan Based on Your Health Risks
A central benefit of the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is the creation of a personalized prevention plan tailored to your unique health risks, lifestyle, and family history. Using your health risk assessment, screening results, and medical records, your provider develops a step-by-step plan to support healthy aging and reduce your risk of chronic disease.
Start your personalized prevention plan today—book your AWV appointment.
Identified Risk Factors & Behavioral Risks
Your prevention plan begins with a detailed review of your identified risk factors, including diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, and other chronic conditions. Behavioral and lifestyle risks, such as inactivity, fall risks, poor nutrition, and substance use disorder, are also evaluated. Understanding these risks allows your provider to take a proactive approach to long-term health maintenance.
Know your risk factors early—schedule your visit now.
Preventive Counseling Services & Health Education
Your provider offer preventive counseling services on topics such as nutrition, physical activity, and chronic disease prevention. When necessary, you may receive smoking cessation counseling, weight-management guidance, and education on relevant screenings or non-opioid treatment options. The goal is to provide personalized health advice that supports healthier habits over time.
Get preventive counseling tailored to your needs—call our clinic today.
Smoking Cessation, Fall Prevention & Lifestyle Coaching
Smoking cessation counseling is available as part of your AWV to help reduce your risk of heart disease, lung conditions, and stroke. Patients with fall risks may receive evidence-based fall prevention strategies, mobility recommendations, and guidance on improving home safety. Lifestyle coaching focuses on sustainable habits, such as better nutrition, increased physical activity, and stress management, that promote healthy aging.
Ready to make lifestyle changes? Book your Annual Wellness Visit.
Written Screening Schedule for the Next 5–10 Years
A key part of your preventive plan is a written screening schedule tailored to your health status and risk factors. This schedule outlines recommended:
- Cancer screenings (colorectal, breast, prostate)
- Cardiovascular screenings for heart disease risk
- Immunizations such as flu, pneumonia, and shingles vaccines
- Follow-up care or referrals to specialists
This roadmap ensures you remain up-to-date on all Medicare-covered preventive services for years to come.
Stay ahead of preventive screenings—schedule your AWV now.
Advance Care Planning Services
Advance care planning is an optional yet highly meaningful part of the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit. It gives you the opportunity to discuss your future healthcare preferences, especially in situations where you may not be able to speak for yourself. These discussions, such as end-of-life care or treatment preferences, help ensure your wishes are honored by your care team and loved ones.
Discuss your long-term care goals with our team—book your AWV.
Advance Directives
Your provider can help you explore or complete advance directives, which outline your treatment preferences and designate a trusted decision-maker. These documents offer legal clarity and peace of mind for both you and your family.
Need help completing advance directives? Call us to schedule your visit.
Discussing Goals of Care
A physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant leads your advance care planning discussion. Topics may include treatment preferences, comfort-focused care, and long-term health goals.
Talk to our providers about your care preferences—schedule your AWV.
What to Bring to Your Medicare Wellness Visit?
What should you bring to your Medicare Wellness Visit? Bring your current medication list, immunization records, relevant medical documents, provider list, and screening history to ensure a complete evaluation:
- A complete medication list, including prescriptions, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs
- Your immunization records, including vaccines received outside the clinic
- Any relevant medical records, such as lab results, diagnostic imaging, or hospital discharge summaries
- A list of current providers, including specialists, therapists, and home health professionals
- Your screening history, including past mammograms, colonoscopies, blood work, or imaging
Having these items available helps your provider build an accurate and comprehensive personalized prevention plan aligned with your current health needs.
Prepare your documents and book your Annual Wellness Visit today
Who Is Eligible for a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit?
Medicare covers the Annual Wellness Visit for all eligible Medicare Part B patients. To qualify, you must have been enrolled in Part B for at least 12 months and must not have received another AWV within the past year. When requirements are met, the AWV is covered once every 12 months at no cost.
If you are newly enrolled in Medicare, you may first qualify for the Initial Preventive Physical Exam (IPPE), the "Welcome to Medicare" visit, available only during your first year of Part B enrollment. After that window closes, you may begin scheduling your Annual Wellness Visit each year.
The AWV helps you stay healthy by detecting health risks early, guiding preventive screenings, and promoting continuity of care throughout retirement.
Not sure if you're eligible? Call our office—we'll check for you.
Why Choose Our Clinic in Katy, TX for Your Medicare Visit?
Choosing the right clinic for your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is essential to receiving thorough, high-quality preventive care. Our practice in Katy, TX is physician-led, ensuring every patient benefits from expert oversight and evidence-based decision-making. Our team includes certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants, all trained extensively in chronic disease management, cognitive screening, preventive services, and risk assessment. Together, they provide coordinated, patient-focused care.
We follow the latest clinical guidelines from national medical organizations to deliver evidence-based preventive care tailored to your individual needs. Each visit is personalized to your health risks, goals, and lifestyle.
Patients choose our clinic because of our warm, patient-first environment, where safety, comfort, and preventive care come first. Whether you live in Katy, Cinco Ranch, Richmond, West Houston, or throughout Fort Bend County, you'll receive compassionate, supportive care designed to help you remain healthy, active, and independent.
Our team is here to guide you through every step of your Medicare wellness journey with professionalism, clarity, and respect.
Choose preventive care you can trust—schedule your AWV with us today.