Medicare
WNCCHS Benefits for Medicare Patients
“Welcome to Medicare” Preventative Visits, Annual Wellness Visits, and More!
WNCCHS accepts Medicare Insurance, so there’s no need to change providers. WNCCHS’s 340 B Pharmacy also accepts Medicare insurance.
If you’re new to Medicare, you are eligible for:
- An Initial Preventive Physical Exam, also called a “Welcome to Medicare” Preventative Visit
- Annual Wellness Visits
The Initial Preventive Physical Exam, or "Welcome to Medicare" Preventive Visit:
This preventive visit promotes good health through disease prevention and early detection.
A large portion of this exam also focuses on Medicare Preventive Services.
Medicare covers one Welcome to Medicare visit per lifetime.
This visit must be completed within the first 12 months after Part B coverage begins.
COMPONENTS OF A WELCOME TO MEDICARE PREVENTATIVE VISIT
- Review of medical and social history.
- Assessment of potential depression risk factors.
- Review of functional ability and safety level.
Physical exam.
- End-of-life planning.
- Medication review.
- Referrals for other preventive services (e.g., vaccines, prostate cancer screenings, bone mass measurement).
- No cost for new Medicare patients within 12 months of starting Part B coverage.
Medicare Annual Wellness Visit
The Annual Wellness Visit is designed to focus on health promotion and preventive care.
You and your provider will create a personalized prevention plan to help you stay healthy and avoid injury, illness, and disease.
WHO CAN GET A MEDICARE ANNUAL WELLNESS VISIT?
You can receive an Annual Wellness Visit if you have had Medicare Part B for at least one year.
These visits are conducted annually.
COMPONENTS OF AN ANNUAL WELLNESS VISIT:
Review and update your Health Risk Assessment.
Update medical and family history.
Update current providers and suppliers.
Review functional status.
Update your list of risk factors and conditions.
Education and referrals to support self-management and wellness (fall prevention, nutrition, physical activity, and social engagement).
Advanced care planning.
Medication review.
Review Social Determinants of Health issues such as resources, social connections, and health care access.
Frequently Asked Questions
GET MORE INFO AT MEDICARE.GOV.
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Yes, WNCCHS accepts Medicare Insurance, so there’s no need to change providers.
WNCCHS’s 340 B Pharmacy also accepts Medicare insurance.
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Automatic Enrollment:
If you are already receiving Social Security benefits, Railroad Retirement benefits, or Federal Retiree benefits, your enrollment in Medicare is automatic. Your Medicare card should arrive in the mail shortly before your 65th birthday. Check the card when you receive it to verify that you are entitled to both Medicare Parts A and B.
Initial Enrollment Period:
If you are not eligible for Automatic Enrollment, contact the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 or enroll online at www.socialsecurity.gov, or visit the nearest Social Security office to enroll in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. You have a seven month window in which to enroll in Medicare without incurring a penalty. If you’re not automatically enrolled in premium-free Part A, you can sign up for it once your Initial Enrollment Period starts. Your Part A coverage will start six months back from the date you apply for Medicare, but no earlier than the first month you were eligible for Medicare. However, you can only sign up for Part B (or Part A if you have to buy it) during the times listed below.
Medicare coverage starts based on when you sign up and which sign-up period, you’re in:
Generally, when you turn 65. This is called your Initial Enrollment Period. It lasts for 7 months, starting 3 months before you turn 65, and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65.
The date your coverage starts depends on which month you sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period. Coverage always starts on the first of the month.
If you qualify for Premium-free Part A: Your Part A coverage starts the month you turn 65. (If your birthday is on the first of the month, coverage starts the month before you turn 65.)
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