Medicare Annual Wellness Visit Eligibility Age
Any Medicare beneficiary enrolled in Medicare Part B is eligible for an Annual Wellness Visit, which means you must be at least 65 years old (the standard Medicare eligibility age) to qualify for this benefit. 1
Standard Medicare Eligibility
- Medicare coverage begins at age 65 for most Americans, making this the minimum age for accessing the Annual Wellness Visit benefit 2
- The Annual Wellness Visit has been available at no cost to Medicare beneficiaries since January 1,2011 2
- All Medicare Part B enrollees are eligible for these visits regardless of their specific health status 1
Initial vs. Annual Visits
- New Medicare beneficiaries can receive an "Initial Preventive Physical Examination" (also called the "Welcome to Medicare" visit) within the first 12 months of enrolling in Medicare Part B 1, 3
- Subsequent Annual Wellness Visits can be performed every 12 months after the Welcome to Medicare visit 1
- These visits focus on disease prevention and health promotion rather than acute illness management 1, 3
Important Coverage Details
- The visits are provided at no cost to beneficiaries—there are no copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles when billed correctly 2
- Coverage includes personalized prevention plan services, screening for chronic disease risk factors, and referrals to health education and prevention counseling services 2
- Both fee-for-service Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans cover these visits, though utilization rates differ between the two 4, 5