If you have Medicare Part B, you are entitled to a free Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) every 12 months. This benefit is widely underused because many beneficiaries confuse it with a routine physical or don't know it exists. The visit costs you nothing out of pocket when your provider accepts Medicare assignment, and it covers a specific set of preventive services designed to catch problems early and build a personalized health plan.
Here is what the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit covers in 2026, what it does not cover, and how to schedule one.
What the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit Covers
The Annual Wellness Visit is a preventive appointment, not a physical exam. Medicare Part B pays 100% of the Medicare-approved amount for the services listed below, meaning you owe no deductible, copayment, or coinsurance as long as your provider accepts Medicare assignment.
Services covered during the AWV include:
- A review of your medical and family history
- Height, weight, blood pressure, and body mass index measurements
- A list of your current medications and any updates
- A cognitive assessment to screen for early signs of dementia or memory issues
- Depression screening
- Assessment of your functional ability and level of safety at home
- Your provider's detection of any risk factors for certain conditions
- A written screening schedule (a personalized prevention plan) for the next 5 to 10 years
- Referrals to health education or preventive counseling services
- Advance care planning discussion (optional, at your request)
New for 2026: Physical Activity and Nutrition Assessment
Starting January 1, 2026, Medicare added coverage for a standardized physical activity and nutrition assessment as part of the Annual Wellness Visit. This assessment can be billed by your provider up to every six months, making it one of the most significant expansions to the AWV benefit in recent years.
This means your doctor can now formally assess your diet quality and activity levels, recommend changes, and follow up on those recommendations at a separate visit within the same calendar year at no additional cost to you.
What Is NOT Covered at the Annual Wellness Visit
Understanding what the AWV does not cover is just as important as knowing what it does cover. The visit is focused on prevention and planning, not diagnosis or treatment.
The following are not covered as part of the AWV itself:
- Diagnosis or treatment of an existing illness or condition
- Blood tests or lab work
- Urinalysis or other clinical tests
- Physical examination of specific body systems (eyes, ears, heart, lungs)
- Prescriptions or medication management
If your provider addresses a separate medical problem during the same appointment, they may bill that service separately. In that case, you could owe your Part B deductible and coinsurance for those additional services. This is one of the most common sources of surprise bills tied to wellness visits, so it is worth asking your doctor upfront to keep the appointment focused on preventive care if you want to avoid any out-of-pocket costs.
Annual Wellness Visit vs. Welcome to Medicare Visit
If you are new to Medicare, it helps to understand the difference between two separate preventive benefits.
| Feature | Welcome to Medicare Visit (IPPE) | Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) |
|---|
| When available | Within first 12 months of Part B | After first 12 months of Part B |
| How often | One time only | Once every 12 months |
| Cost to you | $0 (no deductible or copay) | $0 (no deductible or copay) |
| Physical exam included | Yes, limited | No |
| Health risk assessment | Yes | Yes |
| Cognitive assessment | No | Yes |
| Personalized prevention plan | Yes | Yes |
| Can they happen in the same year | No | No |
You cannot receive an Annual Wellness Visit in the same calendar year as your Welcome to Medicare Visit. Once your first 12 months of Part B enrollment have passed, you become eligible for the AWV on an annual basis.
Annual Wellness Visit vs. Annual Physical Exam
This is the most common point of confusion. Medicare does not cover a routine annual physical the same way private insurance might.
| Feature | Annual Wellness Visit | Annual Physical Exam |
|---|
| Covered by Medicare Part B | Yes, at no cost | Not covered as a standalone benefit |
| Focus | Prevention and planning | Diagnosis and treatment |
| Lab tests included | No | Often yes |
| Cognitive screening | Yes | Sometimes |
| Who bills it | Medicare preventive code | Standard office visit code |
| Your cost | $0 | Part B deductible + 20% coinsurance |
If you ask your doctor for a physical exam and they provide one during or instead of the wellness visit, Medicare may not cover the full amount. Always confirm with your provider that you are scheduling the preventive Annual Wellness Visit specifically.
Who Is Eligible for the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit
You qualify for the Annual Wellness Visit if all of the following apply:
- You are enrolled in Medicare Part B
- You have had Part B coverage for more than 12 months
- It has been at least 12 months since your last Annual Wellness Visit
- Your provider accepts Medicare assignment
There is no age cutoff. All Medicare Part B beneficiaries, regardless of age or health status, are eligible. Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are also required to cover the AWV with no cost sharing.
Eligibility Timeline
Medicare eligibility for a repeat AWV resets on the first day of the same calendar month the following year. For example, if your last AWV was on March 15, 2025, you become eligible again on March 1, 2026. You do not have to wait until the exact anniversary date.
How to Schedule a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit
Scheduling is straightforward. Most people complete this visit with their primary care provider.
Step 1: Confirm your provider accepts Medicare assignment. If they accept assignment, you will owe nothing for the AWV itself.
Step 2: Call the office and ask specifically for the "Annual Wellness Visit" or "Medicare Wellness Visit." Do not ask for a physical or annual exam, as those terms may result in a different (and potentially billable) type of appointment.
Step 3: Prepare before your visit. Bring a complete list of your current medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements. Write down any health concerns, questions, or family history information you want to discuss.
Step 4: Complete any health risk assessment forms. Many providers send these ahead of the appointment or ask you to fill them out when you arrive. The assessment covers your lifestyle, mental health, and functional ability.
Step 5: Discuss your personalized prevention plan. At the end of the visit, your provider should give you a written plan outlining recommended screenings, immunizations, and follow-up care for the next several years.
Step 6: Schedule follow-up screenings. The AWV often leads to referrals for other preventive services such as a colonoscopy, mammogram, or bone density test. These may be covered separately under Medicare's preventive services benefit.
Other Preventive Services That May Be Ordered at Your Visit
The AWV is designed to be a launching point for additional preventive care. Depending on your age, sex, and risk factors, your provider may recommend and refer you for services that Medicare covers separately:
- Colorectal cancer screening (colonoscopy, stool DNA test)
- Mammogram (once every 12 months for women 40 and older)
- Cardiovascular disease screening (blood tests for cholesterol, lipids, triglycerides)
- Diabetes screening (fasting blood glucose test for at-risk beneficiaries)
- Bone mass measurement (for women with osteoporosis risk)
- Depression screening
- Alcohol misuse counseling
- Flu, pneumonia, and COVID-19 vaccines
These services have their own Medicare coverage rules and may be billed separately. Most are covered at no cost or with reduced cost sharing under Part B.
Does Medicare Advantage Cover the Annual Wellness Visit?
Yes. Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) must cover all services that Original Medicare covers, including the Annual Wellness Visit. In most cases, Medicare Advantage plans cover the AWV with no cost sharing, similar to Original Medicare.
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer additional wellness benefits beyond the standard AWV, such as health coaching, gym memberships, or nutrition counseling. Check your plan's Evidence of Coverage document or call your plan's member services line to see what your specific plan includes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Skipping it because you feel fine. The Annual Wellness Visit is designed for healthy people. Catching risk factors early, before you have symptoms, is the entire point.
Bringing up too many medical complaints. If you turn the visit into a treatment appointment by discussing existing conditions or requesting prescriptions, your provider may need to bill additional services. You could end up owing money. Schedule a separate appointment for medical issues.
Confusing it with a physical exam. If you tell the scheduler you want a "physical," you may be scheduled for a different type of visit not covered at no cost.
Missing your eligibility window. There is no penalty for not getting the AWV, but you do lose the opportunity if you skip a year. Each year resets on the anniversary month.
Not reviewing your prevention plan. The written plan your provider gives you outlines recommended screenings. Follow through on those referrals to take full advantage of the benefit.
Check Your Medicare Savings Eligibility
If you are on Medicare and have limited income, you may also qualify for a Medicare Savings Program that helps pay your Part B premiums, deductibles, and copayments. The four Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI, and QDWI) are federally funded and administered by each state, and many beneficiaries who qualify do not know they are eligible.
Use the free eligibility screener at BenefitsUSA.org/screener to find out if you qualify for Medicare Savings Programs or other assistance programs based on your income and household size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit cost anything?
No. If your provider accepts Medicare assignment, you pay nothing for the Annual Wellness Visit. There is no deductible, copayment, or coinsurance for this preventive service. However, if your doctor provides additional services during the same appointment (such as treating a medical condition), those services may be billed separately and could result in out-of-pocket costs.
How often can I get a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit?
Once every 12 months. Your eligibility resets on the first day of the same calendar month in the following year, not necessarily on your exact anniversary date. For example, a visit on July 20, 2025 makes you eligible again on July 1, 2026.
Is the Annual Wellness Visit the same as a physical?
No. The Annual Wellness Visit focuses on preventive care, health risk assessment, cognitive screening, and building a personalized prevention plan. It does not include a full physical examination, lab tests, or treatment for existing conditions. Medicare does not cover a routine annual physical the same way private insurance typically does.
What is the difference between the Welcome to Medicare Visit and the Annual Wellness Visit?
The Welcome to Medicare Visit (also called the IPPE) is a one-time benefit available within your first 12 months of Part B. The Annual Wellness Visit is an ongoing benefit available every year after your first 12 months of Part B. You cannot receive both in the same year.
Can I get an Annual Wellness Visit from a telehealth provider?
Yes. Medicare allows the Annual Wellness Visit to be conducted via telehealth. This was made permanent for Medicare beneficiaries and is not limited to rural areas. You can schedule a video visit with your primary care provider and receive the same covered services at no cost.
What if my doctor addresses a medical problem during my wellness visit?
If your doctor treats or diagnoses a separate condition during the same appointment, they may bill that as a standard office visit in addition to the AWV. You could owe Part B deductible and 20% coinsurance for that portion. To avoid surprise bills, ask your provider to schedule a separate appointment for any medical concerns.
What does the new 2026 physical activity and nutrition assessment cover?
Starting January 1, 2026, Medicare covers a standardized assessment of your physical activity levels and nutritional habits as part of the AWV. This assessment can be done up to twice per year (every six months) and is covered at no cost. It allows your provider to formally document and follow up on lifestyle risk factors for chronic disease.
Does Medicare Advantage cover the Annual Wellness Visit?
Yes. All Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover the Annual Wellness Visit with no cost sharing, matching Original Medicare's benefit. Some plans offer enhanced wellness benefits on top of the standard visit.
What should I bring to my Annual Wellness Visit?
Bring a complete and current list of all medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements with dosages. Also bring any questions about your health, notes about family medical history, and information about recent screenings or health events since your last visit.
Can the Annual Wellness Visit be used to screen for dementia?
Yes. Cognitive assessment is a required part of the Annual Wellness Visit. Your provider is required to evaluate your cognitive function and identify any signs of cognitive impairment. If concerns are identified, your provider may recommend additional evaluation or refer you to a specialist.
