Page 10 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, June 27, 2025 Savvy Senior by Jim Miller Does Medicare Cover Annual Physical Exams? Dear Savvy Senior, Does Medicare cover annual physical exams? I’ve gotten a physical every year since I turned 50 and would like to find out what Medicare covers when I sign up in a few months. Almost 65 Dear Almost, No, Medicare does not pay for annual physical exams, but it does cover a one-time “Welcome to Medicare” checkup during your first year after enrolling in Part B. And after that, it covers annual wellness visits to keep track of your health. Here’s what you should know. Physical vs Wellness Exam In an annual physical, a doctor examines you, may do bloodwork and other tests and looks for problems even though you don’t have a specific complaint or risk. The Welcome to Medicare checkup and annual wellness visits are different. They focus primarily on preventive care. Your doctor will review your risk factors, develop a personalized health plan for you, check that you’re up to date with preventive tests such as cancer screenings and flu shots and may refer you for other tests. Here’s a breakdown of what these exams may include. Welcome to Medicare Checkup This is an introduction to Medicare and focuses on health promotion, disease prevention and detection to help you stay well. It’s an opportunity for your doctor to assess your health and provide a plan for care. During this visit your doctor will: • Take your height, weight, and blood pressure measurements, and calculate your body mass index (BMI). • Ask about your personal and family health history. • Give you referrals for other care as needed. • Assess your potential for depression. • Provide a simple vision test. • Recommend vaccines, tests, screenings and other preventive services you need to stay healthy. • Offer to talk with you about creating advance directives. Annual Wellness Visit This visit includes some of the same elements as the Welcome to Medicare checkup. For example, your doctor will review your medical history, record your vital information and give you an opportunity to talk about advance directives. Your doctor may also provide the following services: • Create a screening checklist for recommended preventive services for the upcoming year. • Look at health risks and treatment options. • Perform a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia. • Provide personalized health advice. • Review your current prescriptions. • Study risk factors for opioid problems if you have a prescription for opioids, and screen for potential substance use disorders. Medicare Coverage The Welcome to Medicare and annual wellness visits are fully covered by Medicare Part B without any out-of-pocket costs. You don’t need the Welcome to Medicare visit to qualify for later annual wellness visits, but know that Medicare won’t pay for a wellness visit during the first 12 months you have Part B. During these visits, the provider may order additional tests or procedures that may be subject to Medicare’s deductibles, copayments or coinsurance. Make sure that when you book your appointment, you specifically ask for the Welcome to Medicare checkup or annual wellness visit to ensure Medicare covers it. Otherwise, you may have to pay for the visit. If you’re enrolled in Medicare Advantage, you’ll probably need to use an in-network provider for the wellness visits to be covered. Some Medicare Advantage plans also cover annual physicals in addition to the wellness visit. Check your plan for details. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. SIDEBAR | FROM PAGE 6 • • • “Very impressed with the focused and comprehensive approach in all aspects of the position. First time seeing such an allaround embrace of the position in many years of watching superintendents.” — Joseph Gray, representing Ward 6 • • • “The Superintendent has worked diligently to establish and maintain frequent, consistent communication with SC members. I appreciate his efforts to connect with the community both in formal meeting sessions and informal sessions, such as community events. The Superintendent provided excellent input into recent contract negotiations. He is making strides in assessing needs for the District and implementing plans to meet those needs, across all areas, from academics to after school needs.” — Sharyn Rose-Zeiberg, representing Ward 8 • • • “Dr. Sippel hit the ground running. He came in, set up his Entry Plan and proceeded to accomplish what he started. He’s straight forward, calls it as he sees it. Let’s the staff do their jobs and only interjects when asked or required. The district has a much more relaxed and harmonious feel to it, which it hasn’t had for a long time. Good 1st year!” — Michael Drummey, representing Ward 1 C B& Landscaping, Inc. 781-233-0348 * Landscaping Maintenance * Mulch * Lawn Mowing & Dethatching * Spring & Fall Clean-ups * Owner-Operated FREE ESTIMATES * CANDBLANDSCAPINGINC.COM 1. On June 27, 1922, the first Newbery Medal was awarded for what? 2. What word can mean a type of boat, a unit of computer info or a job? 3. On June 28, 2007, what was removed from the country’s list of endangered species: bald eagle, piping plover or stork? 4. In 1920, Patrick “Babe” McDonald became the now oldest Olympic gold medalist (56 lb. Weight Throw) at what age: 35, 42 or 46? 5. What is sphynx: a mythical creature, a hairless cat or a computer program? 6. On June 29, 1534, Jacques Cartier discovered what island known as P.E.I.? 7. Who is not mentioned in Shakespeare’s “The Merry Wives of Windsor”: Alice Shortcake, Ophelia or Sir John Falstaff? 8. Le Monde began in 1944 soon after the Liberation of Paris; what is it? 9. What TV game show is similar to tic-tac-toe? 10. On June 30, 1985, what American who collected 28 Olympic medals was born? 11. Some people involved in the Salem witch trials were residents of what other town? 12. July 1 is National Gingersnap Day; gingersnaps were served at Muster Day, which was what? 13. In what year did the UK leave the EU: 2015, 2020 or 2024? 14. The Boston Pops is known for playing what song that is also the National March? 15. July is National Hot Dog Month; what dog breed was hot dog originally called? 16. On July 2, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed what Act? 17. How are bassoon, flute and oboe similar? 18. What sea animal is thought to have inspired the mythical mermaid? 19. What clock’s time is adjusted by adding or removing pennies from its pendulum? 20. July 3 is the start of the dog days, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac; why were they called that? ANSWERS 1. The American Library Association named the best children’s book of the year. 2. Gig (gigabyte) 3. Bald eagle 4. 42 (That event was discontinued.) 5. A hairless cat 6. Prince Edward Island 7. Ophelia (She is in “Hamlet.”) 8. A French newspaper 9. “Hollywood Squares” 10. Swimmer Michael Phelps 11. Danvers (originally called Salem Village) 12. Following the Revolutionary War, an annual day for enlisting in the local militia (like the National Guard) 13. 2020 14. “The Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa 15. Dachshunds (in 1600s Germany) 16. The Civil Rights Act 17. They are woodwind instruments. 18. The animal order Sirenia, which includes manatees 19. “Big Ben” in the London Clock Tower 20. Sirius, the Dog Star in the Orion constellation, rises at the same time as the sun during the most sultry summer days.
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