When it comes to your health, it’s best to be an early bird.
Having an annual wellness visit early in the year is a great first step to managing your health. “Knowing your numbers” and understanding your health status can bring peace of mind and help you avoid surprises.
Below are five reasons to schedule your annual wellness visit today.
1. It’s a “Welcome” benefit under your Medicare coverage – at no extra cost.
One visit to your doctor can tell you a great deal. And the more you know about your health, the better you can take care of yourself. That’s one reason Medicare Part B includes a “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit when you first enroll, and an annual wellness exam every year thereafter. Your preventive visit is covered under Original Medicare or your Medicare Advantage plan and is a key time to ask your doctor any health questions you may have.
2. Your visit includes a variety of preventive services.
An ounce of prevention can go a long way. That’s why your wellness visit focuses on screenings, immunizations and other preventive services. Your doctor will also review your medical history; discuss any medications you are taking; record your height, weight, blood pressure and other routine measurements; check for any cognitive impairment; and generally get the “state of the state” of your health.
3. It’s a fact: Wellness visits can help prevent and detect disease early.
Wellness visits are intended to help you to stay on top of your health status. And, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), they also prevent disease and detect disease early, when treatment is more effective. For those managing chronic conditions that may change over time, like heart disease or diabetes, your Medicare plan offers tools or resources that can help. People enrolled in UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans, for example, may be eligible to participate in a new program called Navigate4Me. It offers a health navigator as a single point of contact to guide people through the complexities of the health care system.
4. Scheduling your wellness visit early in the year gives you more time to take advantage of your benefits.
If you leave your visit with a clean bill of health, then raise a glass (of water) to continued good health! But should it uncover any areas that need attention, knowing your options now will help you and your doctor map out a strategy that can put you on the road to improved health. The sooner you know what you need, the sooner you can start maximizing your benefits – and minimizing your out-of-pocket expenses – to make a difference in your health.
5. Certain plans allow you to see a provider in the comfort of your own home.
To make things even more convenient, some Medicare Advantage plans offer in-home visits to support and complement your regular doctor’s care. Many UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members have access to the HouseCalls program, which gives you a chance to discuss your health concerns or questions one-on-one with a health care provider from the comfort of your own home. HouseCalls also include a review of your health history and medications, a physical exam, and identification of health risks.
Get an early start on improved health this year. Call your doctor today to schedule your annual wellness visit, or if you are a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage member, call us and we’ll do it for you! For additional resources to help navigate Medicare, visit MedicareMadeClear.com.
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Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in these plans depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare.
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