A Medicare wellness visit or a physical?
Know which visit you’re scheduling — and which one Medicare covers at no cost.
Operated by HealthBenefitsCompass LLC, a subsidiary of HealthcareGPS Inc.Medicare education · Not a government websiteReviewed by Lauri Middleton, RN, MSN (licensed Medicare agent) and Karen OrillaHow we prepare our guidance →Meet our reviewers →
A good place to start
Find a practical guide.
Search for a topic, such as a bill, a visit, or moving. Keep names, Medicare numbers, and medical details out of the search.
15 guides to explore
Before your next appointment
A few questions can make the visit easier to prepare for.
When you have a Medicare prescription coverage question
Prepare for a conversation with your pharmacist and your Medicare drug plan.
Understand an extra benefit before using it
Know which questions to ask about conditions, limits, and providers.
Read a Medicare Summary Notice
A starting point for understanding a notice from Original Medicare.
A bill, a notice, or something else?
Start with the title and sender before deciding what to ask.
A denial: what to ask next
Find the instructions and deadline, then get help promptly.
Ask about help with Medicare costs
Learn which cost-help conversations may be useful.
Moving while you have Medicare
Ask how an address change could affect your coverage.
When your care needs change
Make space for questions about your current coverage.
Read your Annual Notice of Change
Take next year’s changes one topic at a time.
Prepare for a coverage conversation
Bring useful questions to someone who can check the specifics.
When Medicare costs feel hard to manage
Prepare for a conversation about help with costs.
Traveling farther for an appointment
Ask the practical questions before the trip.
A notice you do not understand
Keep the deadline visible while you get help.