Healthy Aging Starts with a Plan: The Importance of Your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit
September is Healthy Aging Month, a time to focus on the steps we can take today to support our health, independence and quality of life for years to come.
At HAPPI Health, we believe healthy aging is about more than treating health concerns when they arise. Preventive care can help identify potential problems early, keep chronic conditions under control and give you and your healthcare provider a plan for the year ahead.
One important tool for Medicare patients is the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit.
What Is a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit?
A Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is different from a traditional physical. Instead of focusing only on how you're feeling that day, the visit is designed to look at your overall health and develop a personalized preventive care plan.
"With Medicare, we like to get a plan that's specialized to you for all of your preventative stuff," explains Connie Chedester, FNP, at HAPPI Health.
That plan may include making sure you're up to date on recommended screenings, monitoring existing health conditions and identifying areas where additional care or support may be helpful.
What Can You Expect During Your Visit?
During a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit at HAPPI Health, our team will review several areas of your health and well-being.
Your visit may include checking your height, weight, blood pressure and other vital signs, as well as reviewing your medical history and medications. Your provider may also talk with you about recommended preventive screenings, such as mammograms and colonoscopies, and management of chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.
But healthy aging involves more than numbers.
Patients may also be asked about their daily activities, pain levels, tobacco or alcohol use and whether they have experienced any falls or may be at risk of falling. The visit also includes an assessment of cognitive health to look for possible signs of memory or thinking concerns.
All of this information helps your provider better understand your individual needs and build a preventive care plan around you.
Early Detection Can Make a Difference
One of the biggest benefits of preventive care is the opportunity to identify health concerns as early as possible.
Staying current on recommended cancer screenings can help detect certain cancers at earlier stages, when treatment may be more effective. Regular monitoring can also help patients manage conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure before they lead to more serious complications.
The goal isn't simply to check items off a list. It's to give you the information, resources and care you need to stay healthier as you age.
As Connie puts it, "We're going to take the best care of you we can and make sure that we get you living as long as we can."
Make Preventive Care Part of Healthy Aging
Medicare generally covers an Annual Wellness Visit once every 12 months for eligible beneficiaries. Depending on your Medicare plan, you may also have additional wellness benefits or incentives available to you.
Healthy Aging Month is a great reminder to ask yourself: Am I up to date on my preventive care?
From newborn and pediatric care to adult and senior healthcare, HAPPI Health is here for patients through every stage of life.
We're always accepting new patients. Call HAPPI Health today or visit us online to request an appointment and make your health a priority this September and all year long.
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