Reason’s People Don’t, but Should, Get a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit July 13, 2026 If you are 65 or older, have you had this year’s Medicare annual wellness visit? If yes, thank you for making your health a priority. If the answer is no, read on. Emily Balser, MD, a Samaritan Health Services physician, knows making another medical appointment is not high on everyone’s agenda. If one of these is your reason for not getting in yearly for a Medicare annual wellness visit, take a few seconds and hear her out. I don’t know what it is. (37 seconds) I’m healthy. (17 seconds) I don’t have time. (24 seconds) I can’t get there. (27 seconds) I went last year. (15 seconds) This annual wellness visit is an opportunity to have an extended conversation with a primary care provider to ensure that your health care needs are being met. It is not a physical exam, or a visit for when you have a new illness. An annual wellness visit is preventive. It is an opportunity to create and update a personalized prevention plan with your primary care provider, working together as a team. The visit starts with a health risk assessment and can also include: Family medical history review. Height, weight and blood pressure check. Cognitive screening. Review of appropriate preventive services. Update of current providers and prescriptions. Advance care planning. Personalized health advice. Medicare pays for and encourages seniors to have a wellness visit every year. Attending a Medicare annual wellness visit helps reduce your risk for common preventable health problems and prepares you for better long-term health. Watch this Medicare annual wellness visit video or visit our website to learn more about this Medicare benefit. To schedule a Medicare annual wellness visit, call 541-812-5177. You can also make an appointment request with your provider through MyChart.
