Wellness Visits

Wellness visits are regular check-ins with the primary care team at Innovation Medical Group Southwest. The team encourages individuals with coverage through Medicare to schedule annual wellness visits to identify early signs of health concerns, such as high blood pressure or significant weight changes.

These comprehensive exams aim to prevent health problems before they occur. Research shows that preventive care can lower a patient’s risk of chronic disease. In addition to preserving your health, preventive wellness visits are less costly and invasive than treatments for existing illnesses.

Wellness visits and physical exams are both preventive health assessments, but the former is less extensive. A wellness exam doesn’t include the physical portion of the visit. The exam focuses on your health risks, medical history, family history, and lifestyle factors that can impact your health. Medicare covers wellness visits, but doesn’t provide coverage for physical exams.

When you arrive for your wellness visit, the primary care team records your height, weight, blood pressure, and vitals (temperature, respiration rate, and pulse rate). Next, the team asks detailed questions about your:

• Medical history
• Family health history
• Past and present medication use
• Previous injuries or illnesses
• New or worsening symptoms
• Diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits

The team also evaluates you for signs of memory loss, stress, depression, and anxiety. Depending on the results from your visit, they may recommend additional preventive screenings, blood work, or imaging scans.

You should schedule an annual wellness visit at least once a year if your insurance allows. After age 50, annual wellness exams are essential to monitor and protect your health. If you’re under age 50 and in good health, you should visit the team for a wellness check at least once every three years. 

Certain health conditions may require more frequent visits. The team may recommend annual visits if you have diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), cardiovascular disease, or any other underlying diseases that can affect your health as you age.