Annual wellness visits as well as many preventive screenings and services are now covered for Medicare beneficiaries as a result of the Affordable Care Act.  

Idaho Department of Insurance Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) Coordinator Jacquie Kennedy-Gooch says, “When problems are found early, treatments are more successful. Some preventive services can even protect people from getting certain diseases or illnesses. Prevention, along with diet and exercise, is part of a healthy lifestyle.”

A wellness visit provides opportunity for the patient and doctor to review prescriptions, review medical and family history, take routine measurements, create a screening schedule, and review risk factors and treatment options.

Medicare-covered services include cancer screenings such as mammograms, colorectal and prostate exams; cardiovascular screenings and flu shots.

Consumers can visit www.MyMedicare.gov for descriptions of covered preventive services or call 1-800-633-4227 for more information.