Medicare Advantage preventive care benefits

For Illinois and Missouri plan members

We can work together to help you avoid illness and stay well by focusing on preventive care and wellness. We can work together to help you avoid illness and stay well. Our members receive preventive screenings and other valuable services at no additional cost when using an in-network provider.* Review your summary of benefits and coverage for network provider details.

Office visits

Welcome to Medicare visit

You can schedule your welcome to Medicare visit as soon as you enroll in Medicare Part B. This visit is covered at no cost to you by Medicare.

During this visit, your primary care physician (PCP) will record your medical history and check your vision, blood pressure, weight and height to measure your body mass index. It's a great way to get up-to-date on important screenings and shots. You can also talk with your doctor about your family’s medical history and ways to manage your health.

Annual wellness visit

At this visit, preventive services and more are covered at no ($0) out-of-pocket cost to you when visiting an in-network provider. Review your summary of benefits and coverage for network provider details.

Preventive services may include:

  • Breast cancer mammography screening
  • Colorectal cancer screening
  • Diabetes screenings, monitoring supplies, and self-management training

Annual physical

During this visit, your PCP will talk to you about your medical/family history and perform a head-to-toe general health assessment. This includes a hands-on examination of all the body systems.

Did you know?

When you're new to Medicare Advantage you can schedule your welcome to Medicare visit AND annual wellness visit.

Both visits, and all PCP visits, are covered at no cost ($0) to you.

Transportation

We cover 24 one-way rides each year to medical appointments or to the local pharmacy. If you'd like a ride to an upcoming appointment: 

Call Member Services at 1-877-301-3326 (TTY: 711) 

  • Monday - Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Or visit our additional benefits page to set up this service at no additional cost to you.

Telehealth

Telehealth can be used to assess your risk for certain health conditions. It may also be used for your annual preventive visit or for other appointments if you don't need lab work or vaccines. Telehealth annual preventive visits should be done using audio and visual technology (a smart phone or computer). Ask your PCP if a telehealth appointment is right for you.

Other preventive services

All preventive services are listed in your Evidence of Coverage. See the medical benefits chart in chapter 4, section 2.1 and look for the apple listed next to preventive services.

Non-preventive care

Non-preventive care is given to manage chronic or acute (sudden) illness. If you receive non-preventive care at your PCP's office, you'll have a $0 copay. Many other non-preventive services will have out-of-pocket costs (copays). Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Diagnostic tests and screenings: These are non-routine tests and screenings. For example, if something suspicious is found on your screening and your provider needs additional information, follow-up tests will not be considered as preventive care.
  • Specialist visits: Visits to a specialist (gastroenterologist, orthopedist, neurologist, podiatrist, etc.) for a particular problem are not covered as preventive care. 

Caregiving and Burnout

Anyone can be a caregiver

Many people don’t realize they are already caregiving. Over 50 million of us are a caregiver during a given year, according to the AARP. Whether you're paid to be a caregiver or you have a loved one in need, caregiving and burnout go hand-in-hand. When your needs are put on hold for others, it can be detrimental to: 

  • Health
  • Relationships
  • State of mind 

Take care of yourself. Give yourself a break. Use the following strategies a few hours a week to reduce the effects of compassion fatigue:

  • Maintain personal relationships
  • Prioritize leisure activities that you enjoy
  • Find ways to pamper yourself
  • Make yourself laugh
  • Ask for help

If you're feeling overburdened by caregiving, consider joining a support group such as the Family Caregiver Alliance.

Caregiving and burnout resources


What is Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage (MA) health plans, also called Part C plans, combine Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and often Part D into one plan with a network of providers. In addition to services covered by Original Medicare (Parts A and B), your MA plan may provide many other health care services at no additional cost to you. Visit our extra benefits page to see the added services we provide you at $0.

View our Medicare disclaimer.
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