News

Prairie du Chien and Fennimore, WI – The team at the Crossing Rivers Health Clinic encourages individuals covered by Medicare to seek wellness care - health care that may lower your risk of illness or injury. Medicare coverage does not pay for a head-to-toe physical, however, the coverage does include two different types of wellness visits – a Preventative Visit and an Annual Medicare Wellness Visit.

A Welcome to Medicare Preventive Visit can be scheduled within the first 12 months for those that have Medicare Part B. Medicare covers this introductory visit where a provider will assess current health and identify any risk factors. A Welcome to Medicare preventive visit includes height, weight, blood pressure, calculation of BMI (body mass index), a simple vision test, a review of medical and social history, a review of potential risk for depression and level of safety, an offer to discuss Advance Directives/End of Life Planning such as a Living Will and Power of Attorney for Healthcare, and a written plan explaining which screening, preventive services and immunizations are needed.

Those that have had Medicare Part B for longer than 12 months can schedule an Annual Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers one visit every year to develop or update a personalized prevention help plan to prevent disease and disability based on current health and risk factors. An Annual Medicare Wellness Visit includes the following review of medical and family history, developing or updating a list of current providers and prescriptions, height, weight, blood pressure, BMI, detection of any cognitive impairment/memory issues, personalized health advice, list of risk factors and treatment options, and a checklist for appropriate preventive services. This visit is covered every 12 months.

For more information on Medicare preventive visits, visit crossingrivers.org/medicare. To make an appointment at the Crossing Rivers Health Clinic in Prairie du Chien or Fennimore, call 608.357.2500.

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