Take care of yourself using Medicare's wellness care
Medicare, at age 60, is laser-focused on helping folks ages 65 and older restore, maintain, and achieve optimal health. An integral part of that is through wellness checkups that aim to help you prevent or treat physical and mental conditions that can age you prematurely.
The first available wellness check-up is your "Welcome to Medicare" visit. This one-time opportunity, available in the first 12 months of enrolling in Medicare Part B, lets your doctor establish a baseline on your health and identify challenges to be met -- and conquered. The second is the annual wellness visit, which you can have for free every year after the first 12 months of your Part B coverage.
At the annual visit, you fill out a questionnaire called a "Health Risk Assessment," and the doctor takes routine measurements, like height, weight, and blood pressure. Your doc also will review your medical and family history and your current prescriptions (many seniors need to reduce the number of drugs they take). You'll also be given a screening schedule for mammograms, colonoscopies, prostate check-ups, etc. In addition, you can designate a health care proxy and make a living will.
So, take the opportunity to become an active participant in the journey to stay physically and cognitively strong. Medicare can help, but you need to take the lead and keep track of your health, act to correct problems, and build an active posse and sense of purpose. That way, Medicare will thrive as you do (and the trust fund won't run dry by its 67th birthday).
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com.
(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
Comments