Schedule preventive screenings and regular doctor’s visits to live healthier this year
Taking a proactive approach to your health and wellness is important for making sure you are living your healthiest life.
Annual wellness visits and physicals, along with preventive screenings, lead to more informed decision-making and ensure that you are prepared for anything that lies ahead. Preventive tests can catch health problems in an early stage, helping you avoid complications and chronic conditions.
Use the checklist below to help you track some of the most important appointments throughout the year. Talk to your doctor about additional checkups that might be needed.
Welcome to Medicare visit
If you are a new Medicare member, be sure to schedule this visit as soon as possible. It is covered during the first 12 months of Medicare Part B enrollment and helps establish a baseline for your health in case there are any changes over time.
During the visit, your provider will generally:
- Go over your medical and family history
- Review your health conditions, medications, and any supplements you take
- Check your blood pressure, vision, height, and weight
- Ensure you’re up to date on preventive screenings and vaccines
- Order additional tests you may need based on your health history
In home wellness visit
You have the option to have a trained clinician from our independent partner, Signify Health, conduct a wellness visit from the comfort of your own home. After your visit is complete, you will receive a summary and a copy will be sent to your primary doctor. To schedule, call 1-844-226-8218 (TTY 711), 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday–Friday. Or you can request an appointment online at schedule.signifyhealth.com. Virtual options are also available.
During the visit, a highly-trained clinician will:
- Check your reflexes, blood pressure and heart rate
- Review your medication
- Go over your medical and family history
- Check for safety risks in your home/li>
- Answer any questions you may have
Annual wellness Visit
This appointment is for members who are not new to Medicare. Your Annual Wellness Visit is covered by your plan and is a time for you to have a conversation with your doctor about your health concerns or questions. These annual visits allow your doctor to update or create a personalized prevention plan for you.
During the visit, your doctor will generally:
- Go over your medical and family history
- Make or update a list of providers you see, as well as any medications or supplements you take
- Measure your weight, height, and blood pressure
- Check for any signs of new conditions like dementia or depression
- Create a list of risk factors and treatment options for you
- Make a schedule for your preventive care, including immunizations and screenings. Your health plan generally covers important screening tests that can help you detect and address health issues.
- Talk to you about advance care planning
Annual physical exam
While a Wellness Visit and a physical exam may seem similar, a physical exam involves more hands-on elements. For the exam, your doctor will look, feel and listen to your body to determine if any other tests might be needed.
During your physical exam, your doctor will generally:
- Go over your medical and family history
- Check your blood pressure, vision, height, and weight
- Check your heart rate, breathing, and temperature
- Listen to your heart and lungs
- Examine your eyes, ears, throat, skin, and stomach
- Make a list of risk factors and treatment options for you
- Chat with you about a schedule for your preventive care, including immunizations and screenings
Schedule your screenings
Be sure to talk to your doctor about additional appointments for screenings and vaccinations. Your doctor can help you determine what screenings are best, based on your risk factors.
A colonoscopy, which the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends every 10 years between the ages of 45 and 75, is one example. Other tests are also available for colon cancer screening.
Breast cancer screening is another screening your doctor might recommend. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women receive a mammogram every other year from age 50 to 74.
Getting screened for diabetes, which involves an A1C blood test to measure blood glucose, might be recommended. The sooner diabetes is discovered, the sooner it can be managed.
Blood pressure management, fall prevention, checking bone density after a fracture, managing urinary incontinence — all of these topics and more are good to discuss with your doctor. Also be sure to go over what vaccines to schedule and where to get them.
Each year, Blue Cross covers a variety of routine checkups and preventive services for our members. Choosing to schedule screenings and make these important visits will ensure that you continue to properly treat any existing conditions and avoid future ailments.
For more information on preventive care, visit bluecrossmn.com/medicare-preventive, or check out our previous thrive. articles on the subject at bluecrossmn.com/thrive.
