“Welcome to Medicare” Physical Exam
QUESTION: I turned 65 this month and am on Medicare. I called my doctor’s office about scheduling a physical exam but they told me Medicare might not pay for it. Is that right?
ANSWER: In your case, NO, that’s not right. You are allowed a one-time preventive physical exam within the first 12 months that you have Medicare Part B. Because you just turned 65 and have Medicare, this physical will be covered. After this first time, Medicare does not generally cover preventive physical exams. Your doctor’s office is aware of this provision and may not have realized you were in your initial 12 months of having Medicare Part B.
You may have received a letter from Medicare advising you of this benefit. It might be a good idea to take that letter or print out the information about this physical exam from the Medicare.gov website and take it with you to your doctor appointment.
I’ll be happy to send you a copy of the information. Just click “ask a question” and request Welcome to Medicare Physical info.
SOURCE: www.Medicare.gov; search for One-time “Welcome to Medicare” Physical Exam.
