At what age does one become eligible for Medicare, and which part (Medicare Part A or Medicare Part B) covers wellness services?

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Last updated: February 18, 2025 • View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

Medicare typically starts at age 65 [ 1 ]. The wellness visit is covered under Medicare Part B [ 1 ]. This visit is also known as the Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) and is available to Medicare beneficiaries every 12 months [ 1 ]. It includes a review of medical history, a physical exam, and personalized health advice [ 1 ]. There is no cost for the AWV if you see a doctor who accepts Medicare assignment [ 1 ].

Key Points

  • Medicare Eligibility: Typically starts at age 65 [ 1 ]
  • Wellness Visit Coverage: Covered under Medicare Part B [ 1 ]
  • Annual Wellness Visit (AWV): Available to Medicare beneficiaries every 12 months [ 1 ]
  • AWV Services: Includes a review of medical history, a physical exam, and personalized health advice [ 1 ]
  • Cost: No cost for the AWV if you see a doctor who accepts Medicare assignment [ 1 ] Some of the key aspects of the AWV include:
  • Cognitive evaluation [ 1 ]
  • Discussion of brain health with patients [ 1 ]
  • Opportunity for PCPs to identify patients who may be at-risk for developing cognitive impairment [ 1 ] It's worth noting that the AWV has been available to Medicare beneficiaries since 2011 [ 1 ], and it's an important tool for promoting preventive care and early detection of health issues [ 1 ].

From the Research

Eligibility Age for Medicare

  • The eligibility age for Medicare is 65 years old, as implied by the studies 2, 3, 4, 5.
  • These studies consistently mention age 65 as the threshold for qualifying for Medicare, but do not explicitly state the eligibility age.

Medicare Part A and Part B Coverage

  • The provided studies do not directly address which part of Medicare (Part A or Part B) covers wellness services.
  • However, it is known that Medicare Part B covers preventive and screening services, which can be considered as wellness services 5.
  • Medicare Part A, on the other hand, primarily covers hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, and hospice care, which are not typically considered wellness services.

Wellness Services Coverage

  • While the studies do not explicitly state which part of Medicare covers wellness services, it can be inferred that Medicare Part B is more likely to cover these services.
  • The study 5 mentions that Medicare eligibility at age 65 improves access to and use of care, which may include wellness services, but does not specify which part of Medicare provides this coverage.

References

1
Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

3
Research

Medicare eligibility age, health disparities, and medicare reform.

Journal of health care for the poor and underserved, 2014

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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