Medicare Annual Wellness Visits in Troy, MI

If you have Medicare Part B, you have access to one of the most valuable preventive benefits Medicare offers - a yearly wellness visit at $0 cost-sharing. Most beneficiaries either do not know it exists or confuse it with a regular physical. It is neither, and used well, it is a powerful planning tool.

At Phase Medical Group in Troy, MI, Dr. Alex Christofis is a board-certified family medicine physician who provides Medicare Annual Wellness Visits (AWVs) for seniors in Troy and surrounding communities. Your physician works with you to build a personalized prevention plan focused on staying ahead of problems and making the most of your Medicare preventive benefits.

What Is a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit?

The AWV is a yearly preventive appointment designed to help you and your physician build or update a personalized prevention plan. Unlike a standard physical, the AWV focuses specifically on preventive health planning, screenings, and early detection of risks.

Important distinction: The AWV is not a head-to-toe physical exam. It is a structured preventive planning visit. If you have specific symptoms or medical concerns that need to be addressed in the same appointment, those services may be billed separately under a standard office visit. We will let you know beforehand if additional charges may apply.

Welcome to Medicare Visit vs. Annual Wellness Visit

Medicare offers two distinct preventive visits:

Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE) - "Welcome to Medicare" Visit
A one-time visit available within your first 12 months of enrolling in Medicare Part B. It includes a physical examination, measurement of height, weight, blood pressure, and BMI, along with a review of your medical and family history. Your physician will also provide education on preventive services and referrals for additional care. This is the only Medicare preventive visit that includes a hands-on physical exam component.

Annual Wellness Visit (AWV)
Available once every 12 months after your Welcome to Medicare visit, or 12 months after enrolling in Part B if you did not have the IPPE. The AWV focuses on developing and updating your personalized prevention plan rather than performing a physical exam.

What the Annual Wellness Visit Includes

During your AWV at Phase Medical Group, your physician will cover:

• Health Risk Assessment (HRA) - a detailed questionnaire covering your health history, lifestyle habits, medications, and risk factors. You may be asked to complete this before your visit.
• Personalized Prevention Plan - based on your HRA and medical history, your physician builds a tailored plan of recommended screenings, vaccinations, and preventive services for the coming year.
• Depression Screening - a brief, standardized screening to identify signs of depression that may benefit from further evaluation or support.
• Cognitive Assessment - an evaluation of memory and cognitive function to detect early changes and establish a baseline.
• Functional Ability and Safety Review - assessment of your ability to perform daily activities, fall risk, and home safety considerations.
• Advance Care Planning Discussion - an optional but encouraged conversation about your wishes for future medical care, including living wills and healthcare proxies. Medicare covers this discussion as part of your AWV.
• Medication Review - a complete review of prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements.
• Update of Medical and Family History - so your records reflect any new diagnoses, procedures, or family health changes.

What the AWV Does Not Include

It helps to know what falls outside the scope of the AWV so there are no surprises:

• The AWV is not a comprehensive head-to-toe physical exam.
• If you bring up new symptoms, chronic condition management, or other medical concerns during the visit, those services may be billed separately as a standard office visit.
• Lab work is billed separately through your insurance and may be subject to Medicare deductibles and coinsurance.
• Referrals to specialists or follow-up appointments are not part of the AWV itself.

Our team will always be upfront if any additional services during your visit may result in separate charges.

Medicare-Covered Preventive Screenings and Services

As part of your prevention plan, your physician may recommend screenings and services that Medicare covers at no additional cost. These can include:

• Cardiovascular disease screenings (cholesterol and lipid panels)
• Diabetes screening (fasting glucose, A1C)
• Cancer screenings (colorectal, breast, cervical, lung, prostate as applicable)
• Bone density screening for osteoporosis
• Hepatitis B and C screening
• HIV screening
• Flu, pneumonia, shingles, and COVID-19 vaccinations (see our immunizations page)
• Tobacco cessation counseling
• Obesity screening and behavioral counseling
• Alcohol misuse screening and counseling

Eligibility for specific screenings depends on your age, gender, health history, and risk factors. Your physician will help determine which screenings are right for you and when they should be scheduled. Lab work is billed separately through your insurance.

Cost and Coverage

The AWV is covered at $0 cost-sharing for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries. You pay no copay, no coinsurance, and the Part B deductible does not apply to the AWV itself.

There are a few cost considerations to keep in mind:

• If additional medical issues are addressed in the same appointment, a separate office visit charge may apply with standard Medicare cost-sharing (deductible and 20% coinsurance).
• Lab work and diagnostic tests are billed separately and may involve out-of-pocket costs depending on the test and your coverage.
• Many preventive screenings recommended during the AWV are also covered by Medicare at $0 when billed correctly, but not all tests qualify for zero cost-sharing.

If you have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) or Medicare Advantage plan, your coverage may vary slightly. Our front desk staff can verify your benefits before your appointment.

How Often Can You Have an AWV?

Medicare covers one AWV every 12 months. The 12-month clock starts from the date of your last AWV or Welcome to Medicare visit. You do not need to have had the Welcome to Medicare visit to qualify - you simply need to have been enrolled in Medicare Part B for longer than 12 months.

If it has been more than a year since your last wellness visit, or if you have never had one, call us to schedule. Many patients pick the same time of year so it becomes part of their routine.

Why Choose Phase Medical Group

Phase Medical Group is a family medicine practice led by Dr. Alex Christofis, a board-certified family medicine physician who treats patients of all ages, including Medicare beneficiaries. When you choose us for your AWV, you get:

• Unhurried, thorough appointments - your physician takes the time to listen, review your full health history, and build a prevention plan that fits your life.
• Continuity of care - as a family medicine practice, we manage your ongoing health needs beyond the wellness visit, including chronic condition management, acute care, and preventive services in one place.
• Clear communication about costs - we are upfront about what is covered under your AWV and what may result in additional charges. No surprises.
• Help navigating Medicare benefits - our staff assists with verifying coverage, explaining benefits, and making sure you take full advantage of Medicare's preventive services.
• Same physician at every visit - board-certified family medicine, not a walk-in clinic.

Areas We Serve

Conveniently located at 6905 Rochester Road in Troy, MI. Serving Troy, Rochester Hills, Sterling Heights, Shelby Township, Oakland County, Macomb County, and the greater Metro Detroit area.

Your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit costs $0 out of pocket. Do not let another year go by without using it. Call Phase Medical Group at 248-847-0626 or request an appointment online, and let us know you would like to schedule a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit so we can reserve the appropriate time.