Home ❯ Patient resources ❯ Better care starts here

Better care starts here

No matter where you are on your health journey, we’re here for you. We’ll give you the support to live better.

Call 1-845-202-6554² to speak to one of our Wellness Coordinators and learn more about programs that Optum offers for patients ages 65 and above.

Schedule a visit

Optum can help patients access the resources they’ll need to help them reach their health goals.

We look forward to partnering with you to design a care plan. Here’s what we focus on:

Well-beingKeeping you healthy goes beyond the exam room. We’ll help find the right local resources for you.
Care designed for your needsWe’ll help you with scheduling appointments and screenings, getting the right medications and shots (vaccines), and more.
Long-term supportIf you have a long-term problem like diabetes or heart disease, we’ll work together so you get the specialist you need and will coordinate your care. And we see to it that you get the right follow-up care after a hospital stay.

I have Type 2 diabetes. My doctor checks in with me to make sure I take my medicines and eat right. Keeping in touch with my doctor helps keep me healthier.Carol, age 66

Medicare Annual Wellness Visit

If you’re on Medicare, you qualify for a no-cost Annual Wellness Visit.* This visit focuses on keeping you healthy. That’s key to living a long, healthy life.

What is an Annual Wellness Visit?

It’s a yearly appointment with your primary care doctor. It’s not the same as a physical. There’s no lab work or hands-on testing. It’s more of a personalized care plan session. The goal is to keep you healthy and meet your unique health needs.

Are there different types of wellness visits?

There are 3 types of wellness visits:

Welcome to Medicare Visit: This is your first health check-up after you join Medicare and should be completed within the first 12 months of joining Medicare Part B. At this visit, the doctor will ask about your medical history, how you feel and talk about how to stay healthy. This visit can also help find health problems early.
Initial Annual Wellness Visit (AWV): This is your next Annual Wellness Visit after your Welcome to Medicare visit. It can be completed after 12 months of joining Medicare Part B. This visit helps make or update a plan to keep you healthy. It includes a full check of your medical history, potential health risks and helps set your health goals.
Annual Wellness Visit (AWV): This visit happens every year after your initial AWV. It keeps your health plan up-to-date by checking for any changes in your health status and updating tests and services based on what you need.

When you call, it’s important to ask to schedule an Annual Wellness Visit. That way you can make sure Medicare covers it.

You may pay for any services outside of the Annual Wellness Visit during your appointment. Be sure to ask any questions about costs before your visit. Some health plans will let you have wellness visits without waiting 11 months. Be sure to check with your health plan or doctor to make sure you’re in the time frame.

What is the difference between an Annual Wellness Visit and a physical?

Your doctor does a physical exam when you’re sick or in pain. They’re looking to find what’s wrong and fix it. The Annual Wellness Visit is a yearly check-up. Your care team is looking to stop problems before they happen.

Compare Medicare Annual Wellness Visit and a physical exam

	Physical exam	Annual Wellness Visit
Go over your medical and family history.	✓	✓
Check your height, weight and blood pressure.	✓	✓
Create or update a list of your doctors and prescription drugs.	✓	✓
Screen you for depression, memory loss and brain health.		✓
Determine your chances for having heart disease, diabetes or other long-term problems.		✓
Create your personalized care plan.		✓
Set up a schedule for screenings.		✓
You could earn a reward for completing this visit. Please call your doctor to learn more.		✓

Note: This chart is not complete. You may see different doctors for the Annual Wellness Visit or a physical exam. Source: Medicare.gov

What should I expect at my Annual Wellness Visit?

Your doctor will complete these things during your visit:

Talk about your health and answer any questions you have
Check your blood pressure, weight and other vital signs
Talk about screenings or tests you may need
Check your medicines
Set your health goals
Create a care plan to help you reach your goals

What should I bring to my visit?

Your insurance card and photo ID
Any forms you were asked to complete
A list of all of your current medicines, including vitamins and supplements (or bring your medicine bottles)
Any medical records that you may have A list of questions for your doctor
The names of any specialists you see

This past January I had my Annual Wellness Visit with my doctor. She worked with me to set up realistic health goals I could actually follow. And she helped keep me on a healthy trackJim, age 68

*There’s no extra charge and no copay for your AWV. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t met your deductible or what Medicare plan you have. You just need to see a provider who accepts Medicare. You might have to pay for extra tests or services you have during this visit.

We’ll help you make a plan and put it into action

Health screenings suggested for you

You can take steps now to stay healthy and independent. We’re here to help you complete these recommended health screenings.

Who should get the screening?	Screening	When should you have it done? What is it for?
Everyone	Bone density	Ask your doctor when to have it. X-ray test for bone strength.Important for women who’ve broken a bone in the last 6 months.
	Colorectal cancer screening	Colonoscopy: every 10 years OR Stool screening test: every year. Have a family member with colon cancer? Ask your doctor if you need to be screened.
	Diabetes screening	Every three years. More often if you have medical problems that raise your chances of having diabetes.
	Flu Shot (influenza vaccine)	Every year. It helps keep you safe from the flu.
	Heart and blood vessel health checkup	Talk with your doctor about what you can do to lower your chances of heart attack or stroke.
	Other vaccines (pneumonia, shingles, COVID-19)	Ask your doctor.
	Wellness visit	Every year, create or update your personalized care plan. Includes physical exam, BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol, medicines and health advice.
Women	Breast cancer screening	Mammogram: at least every two years Is it time for your mammogram?
Men	Prostate exam	Talk to your doctor about your prostate health

Set your health goals

Turn better health into a better life for you and your family

Choose where you’re going on your health journey. And partner with your doctor. They can help you set goals that make the most sense for you. They’ll also work with you to help you reach them.

Tips for goal setting

Choose the right goals Think about what’s important to you. You’re more likely to reach goals that help you do the things you most want to do in your life.
Start smallBreak your goals into small steps. Let’s say you want to start exercising. Set a mini-goal like walking around the block 3 times a week. Once you reach this goal, add a few blocks. Before you know it, you’ll be walking a mile.
Get help from your care teamOur team is trained to help you set and reach your goals. If you have diabetes or heart disease, your doctor will help choose the right ones for you. Whatever your goals, trust their advice as you set them together.

Take healthy steps each day

Are you making the most of all your health and wellness resources? We offer a wide range to help you live your healthiest life.

Better Health blogFind tips and ideas to inspire healthy living at any age.
Help with prescriptions with Optum Rx Need a refill, renew or transfer a prescription? Call your pharmacist or doctor. You may qualify for home delivery.
Help finding a specialistOur doctors work with a large network of specialists in your area. For some health plans, your doctor may need to make a referral for you to see a specialist. Your primary care doctor can find the right specialists and work with them to determine the right care for you.

Get started

Schedule a visit

Call: 1-845-202-6554

There are several ways to learn about your Medicare coverage options. You can review the CMS website at Medicare.gov or call 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227/TTY call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week. You can contact Medicare Advantage health plans directly for information about the plans they offer. Another option is to speak with a licensed insurance agent.
Calling this number will direct you to a licensed insurance agent to help you with your Medicare needs.