Get answers to common questions about billing for annual physical exams with your primary care provider.

What is a “Preventive Health Exam,” and is it covered by my insurance?

A Preventive Health Exam is an annual physical during which your primary care provider will:

• Ask you questions about your health
• Do a physical examination
• Give you advice about how to prevent health problems
• Take care of minor health problems or a chronic illness that has not changed

Commercial health plans

Under the Affordable Care Act, commercial health plans are required to cover an annual Preventive Health Exam at no cost to the patient (no co-payment, co-insurance, or deductible).

Medicare Advantage

Many Medicare Advantage plans will also pay the full cost of preventive health exams.

Medicare Part B

Annual Wellness Visit

Medicare Part B covers a different version of an annual visit, called a “Medicare Annual Wellness Visit.” During your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, your provider will:

• Ask you questions about your health, and family and social history
• Provide advice about how to prevent health problems, including a plan for screening in the future
• Screen you for depression and other mental health or safety concern

A Medicare Annual Wellness Visit does not include a physical exam. If your provider does perform a physical exam during your visit to assess your health or treat any medical problems, you may be responsible for a co-insurance or a Medicare Part B deductible payment.

“Welcome to Medicare” Visit

During your first 12 months of enrollment in Medicare Part B, a “Welcome to Medicare” visit is covered, which includes a physical examination.

Frequently asked questions

When would any of these annual health visits turn into a sick or chronic disease visit?

Sometimes, your annual preventive health exam, Medicare annual wellness visit, or a “Welcome to Medicare” Visit can turn into a “Sick Visit.”

During your visit, your provider may need to treat a new medical issue or a chronic problem that has changed. If that occurs, this part of the visit is called a Sick Visit and may result in additional services being billed to your insurance.

Most insurance companies will pay for Sick Visit evaluations, tests, and treatments, but your insurance plan may require you to pay a co-payment, deductible, and/or co-insurance payment for the Sick Visit, even when it is done during the same appointment as your Preventive Health Exam, Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, or Welcome to Medicare Visit.

Are lab tests for disease screening and immunizations covered during my Annual Health Visits?

Medicare and many commercial health insurance plans cover certain screening tests (such as cancer and cardiovascular disease screening) and immunizations. Specific coverage depends on your age and health insurance plan. Some tests and immunizations may not be covered at 100%, and some may not be covered at all. In those cases, you may be responsible for a co-insurance or deductible payment.

When will I have to pay?

We will request your co-payment when you check in for a visit. We will send you a bill if there is any unpaid balance after we receive payment for your visit from your insurance company.

It is important that you understand your health insurance benefits, and we encourage you to contact your health insurance plan if you have any questions about what is included in your Preventive Health Exam, Medicare Annual Wellness Visit or Welcome to Medicare Visit, or about charges for Sick Visits, lab tests, immunizations, and other services that are performed during your Preventive Health Exam, Medicare Annual Wellness, or Welcome to Medicare Visit.

If your insurance company does not answer all of your questions, please contact Billing Solutions:

• Phone
  617-726-3884
  Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET
• Email
  patientbilling@partners.org for general questions only; a representative will respond generally within three business days.
  (Please use www.patientgateway.org to view details of your account, send messages with confidential information, or pay your bills.)
  
• Mailing address
  Correspondence only (no checks)
  Mass General Brigham
  Patient Billing Solutions
  399 Revolution Drive, Suite 410
  Somerville, MA 02145-1462

Updated April 2019