How to make the most of your annual wellness visit

Senior female being examined by female doctor

This yearly checkup is an important part of staying healthy. Learn what to expect and key questions to ask your primary care provider.

Your annual wellness visit is one of the best tools for staying on top of your health. It gives you time to talk with your provider about your health risks and learn ways to stay healthy and injury-free.

They might even recommend new habits to add to your routine. Plus, your visit is a great way to make sure that you’re up to date on your preventive screenings and other tests.

Your annual wellness visit is covered one time per year at no cost to you. It’s one of the perks of being a Medicare member. Take advantage! Here’s what to know — and how to come prepared.

1. You’ll complete a health risk assessment.

Your provider will ask you to fill out a health risk questionnaire.

This assessment might include:

A review of your medical and family health history
A review of your current conditions and medications
Height, weight, blood pressure, and other routine measurements

2. You and your provider will talk about your health and potential risks.

Your answers to the health risk assessment, along with the measurements your provider takes, can assist you and your provider in developing a prevention plan to help you stay healthy. After the assessment, your provider may offer guidance on the following:

Personalized health advice
A list of risk factors and treatment options
A checklist of preventive services, including screenings and vaccines
Advanced care planning

3. Your provider will also check for signs of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Some signs of cognitive impairment include having difficulty with the following:

Remembering or learning new things
Concentrating
Making decisions about your everyday life

If your provider thinks you may have cognitive impairment, Medicare covers a separate visit for a more thorough review. At that appointment, they will check for conditions such as dementia, depression, anxiety, and delirium.

4. You’ll get to ask plenty of questions

When you go for your annual wellness visit, your provider will ask you many questions. But it’s important that you come with your own questions too. This is a great opportunity to discuss what’s on your mind.

Use this as a checklist for some things you may want to talk about.

Is my blood pressure under control?

Your blood pressure can give clues about lots of things going on in your body. This is why regular screenings for high blood pressure are crucial. These screenings can help identify whether you’re at risk of other health issues such as heart disease and stroke.

Blood pressure screenings can also help determine your risk of kidney disease. This is a key way of finding kidney disease in its early stages. With kidney disease, symptoms don’t appear until the late stages.

How can I prevent falls?

Falls are the leading cause of injuries in older Americans. Ask your provider about getting a fall-risk assessment.

Here are a few other ways to prevent falls:

Stay active to maintain strength and balance.
Review medications with your provider. (Another good time to do this is during an at-home health checkup.)
Have your vision checked.
Make your home safer with design tweaks such as removing throw rugs and improving the lighting.

Any tips on how I can stop smoking?

We know you know this, but smoking is bad for your health in so many ways. And it can be tough to stop on your own. If you use tobacco, your provider can connect you with resources to help you quit.

How should I exercise — and what foods should I eat?

Two key parts of staying healthy are working out regularly and eating good-for-you foods. These include foods that are rich in calcium, fiber, and lean proteins.

Having trouble making time to exercise or eat balanced meals? Your provider can explain how to integrate healthy habits into your daily routine. (Find tips to start a fitness routine you enjoy and can stick with here.)

How can I stay mentally strong?

Changes in mood can be an important indicator of mental health struggles. Let your practitioner know if you’ve been feeling down lately. They can connect you with a therapist who can help. They may also encourage you to try to stay active, physically and socially. Both can help improve your mood.

Sometimes I leak a bit of urine — what can I do about that?

Urinary incontinence can become more common as people age. Tell your provider if you’ve been leaking urine. They’ll be able to help find out why it is happening. And they can offer tips for managing the issue.

Am I a healthy weight?

Being overweight or underweight can have serious implications for your health. Your provider can measure your height and weight and let you know if you’re outside a normal range. (Find simple tips to help lose weight here.)

Which preventive screenings do I need?

Preventive screenings are a vital part of keeping you healthy, especially as you get older. But the type (and frequency) of screenings is different for everyone.

Good places to start include screenings for breast cancer and colorectal cancer. Many older adults also get bone mineral density testing, to help identify osteoporosis. Talk to your provider about the screenings you need and when to schedule them.

Your annual wellness exam is a great time to check in with your provider each year. Staying up to date with this appointment will help ensure that you’re on top of any health risks — plus, you’ll learn new ways to stay active and content. Plus, it’s free!

Sources:
Yearly “wellness” visits: Medicare.gov
About adult BMI: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Calculate your body mass index: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
What is high blood pressure? American Heart Association
Falls and fractures in older adults: National Institute on Aging
Where to get help when you decide to quit smoking: National Cancer Institute