Medicare Annual Wellness Screenings

During your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, your primary care provider will discuss preventative screenings to create or update a personalized prevention plan. The goal of annual screenings is to help prevent illness and disability based on a patient's current health and risk factors.

Preventive Screenings and Services to Expect:

Blood Pressure Screening

Regular monitoring of blood pressure to detect hypertension and prevent related complications.

Diabetes A1C Check

A blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past three months, essential for managing and diagnosing diabetes.

Breast Cancer Screening

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women ages 50-74 throughout the world. Mammograms and other tests to detect breast cancer early when it is most treatable.

Be Ready for your Mammogram:

Wear a shirt that is easy to take off
Avoid deodorant, perfume & lotion
Plan for the appointment to take approx. 30 minutes
Patients should expect each breast will be pressed between two plates for examination.

Colon Cancer Screening

The vast majority of new cases of colorectal cancer (about 90%) occur in people who are 45 or older. However, millions of people in the United States are not getting screened as recommended. Colon cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer, and regular screenings help find it early, when treatment often leads to a cure.

Colon cancer screening options include:

STOOL TESTS:  At-home tests like FIT and Cologuard look for blood or altered DNA in the stool.
FLEXIBLE SIGMOIDOSCOPY:  Gives your doctor a good view of the lower third of your colon.
COLONOSCOPY:  Lets the doctor view the entire colon and remove most polyps and some cancers. It is performed in the doctor’s office.
VIRTUAL COLONOSCOPY: Uses x-rays to let a doctor see images of the colon on a computer screen. To find out which screening is right for you, talk with your primary care provider. As part of the screening process, all positive results on non-colonoscopy screening tests should be followed up with a timely colonoscopy, according to the American Cancer Society.

Discuss Flu and Pneumonia

Vaccination to protect against influenza and pneumonia, which are particularly important for older adults. Pneumonia vaccines are crucial for those with certain risk factors.

Fall Risk Screening

Assessments to identify your risk of falling and provide strategies to prevent falls.

Depression Screening

Simple questionnaires to identify signs of depression and offer appropriate treatment or referrals.

Cognitive Screening

Assessments to detect memory issues and cognitive decline early.

Hearing Loss Screening

Audiograms and other tests to check for hearing impairments and discuss potential solutions.

Vision Screening

Examinations to detect vision problems and eye diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma.

Advance Care Planning

Discussions about your healthcare preferences and completing advance directives. Discuss with your provider what quality-of-life means to you, and create a care plan accordingly in the event you become incapable of making health care decisions yourself.

Bone Density Screenings

Tests like DEXA scans measure bone density and assess the risk of osteoporosis.

Blood/Laboratory Screening

Comprehensive blood panels provide a snapshot of overall health. Patients can expect various blood tests to check cholesterol levels, kidney function, liver function, and more.

Lung Cancer Screening (if qualified)

Low-dose CT scans for individuals at high risk for lung cancer to detect the disease early.