Medicare Wellness Doctor Visit

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
Got that out of the way today. She was concerned because my blood pressure was low (100/60) and order blood work (I don't know exactly what test, but she mentioned "kidney function"). I thought it strange her asking me if the world situation was making me tense. I made a non-committal answer that I wished people could find a way to solve their differences without warfare. Then she replied "It's all about money." When did a doctor visit become a political platform?
 

I hate these yearly visits. None of their bees wax if I am still sexually active. The nurse usually skips that question since I asked her to define sexually active and give an example.

I almost feel like I am being waterboarded. "Confess old woman, we know you are still doing the uglies!" I mean who is collecting the data on older women's sexuality? Some group that refers to sexually active older women, using a disparaging wildlife name, is my guess.

How do government stats on senior hanky panky help medical science?
 

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Deya said:
I hate these yearly visits. None of their bees wax if I am still sexually active. The nurse usually skips that question since I asked her to define sexually active and give an example.

I almost feel like I am being waterboarded. "Confess old woman, we know you are still doing the uglies!" I mean who is collecting the data on older women's sexuality? Some group that refers to sexually active older women, using a disparaging wildlife name, is my guess.

How do government stats on senior hanky panky help medical science?
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I told the technician to record in my file to never ask me that question again and they haven’t. I told her if someone doesn’t know how to avoid STDs at this age there’s no hope for them.
 
debodun said:
Got that out of the way today. She was concerned because my blood pressure was low (100/60) and order blood work (I don't know exactly what test, but she mentioned "kidney function"). I thought it strange her asking me if the world situation was making me tense. I made a non-committal answer that I wished people could find a way to solve their differences without warfare. Then she replied "It's all about money." When did a doctor visit become a political platform?
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I do not do the Medicare wellness visits as they are a waste of my time. I read that they are a good money maker for the doctor, however. If I have an issue, I go to see my doctor.
 
Teacher Terry said:
I do not do the Medicare wellness visits as they are a waste of my time. I read that they are a good money maker for the doctor, however. If I have an issue, I go to see my doctor.
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I'm glad I noticed your post because I thought annual Medicare wellness visits were required. There is so much pressure to get them. I just now checked and found out they are encouraged but not required.

I see the doctor twice a year (each 6 months) for blood work and consultation, and the wellness visit was incorporated into one of those visits, or added to it - whatever - it wasn't a special appointment.
 
MACKTEXAS said:
I'm glad I noticed your post because I thought annual Medicare wellness visits were required. There is so much pressure to get them. I just now checked and found out they are encouraged but not required.

I see the doctor twice a year (each 6 months) for blood work and consultation, and the wellness visit was incorporated into one of those visits, or added to it - whatever - it wasn't a special appointment.
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Me too!
 
I've noticed a trend toward offering periodic "wellness" visits. I think it's a good practice, staying in touch with patients, so that health matters can be explored to prevent much bigger health problems.
@debodun , 100/60 is on the low side, but if you're not having dizziness or fainting it's probably nothing to worry about, but the blood labs will tell the tale. I've had BP reading at 106/80, sometimes being 1xx/70ish, without any issues.
 
Luckily, my doctor trusts me to come in if I’m having any issues and she doesn’t require me to come in yearly even though I am on a couple of medications. However, I’ve been going to her for almost 30 years. She’s going to retire in three years and I’m really dreading that.
 
MACKTEXAS said:
I'm glad I noticed your post because I thought annual Medicare wellness visits were required. There is so much pressure to get them. I just now checked and found out they are encouraged but not required.

I see the doctor twice a year (each 6 months) for blood work and consultation, and the wellness visit was incorporated into one of those visits, or added to it - whatever - it wasn't a special appointment.
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They recently expanded my July 3-month blood work appt to be a wellness visit. They did call me first to check if it was ok with me. .
 
I don't mind them. But i have a clue why they ask what do.

I jokingly give them a hard time about their forms, both the ones we fill out and what they're doing on computer at these visits, don't nearly acknowledge how varied human beings are. The alcohol and tobacco questions especially.

Their range begins at 'never' and goes up to packs or drinks per day. But no leeway, for how infrequently i use either. Sometimes a few times in a year other times nothing for years. I don't have the receptors that lad to addiction- i can be in a roomful of smokers & drinkers and not crave either. But every now then i want a smoke (usually a small cigar), a cold beer in summer or a shot of hard liquor in my coffee or tea on winter night. So i can't honestly say never.
 
Nathan said:
I've noticed a trend toward offering periodic "wellness" visits. I think it's a good practice, staying in touch with patients, so that health matters can be explored to prevent much bigger health problems.
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I know, there are people who don't see the doctor for years. Since my doctor requires me to get blood work twice a year and come in for a consultation twice a year, we're already exploring health matters. Also, he asks about my mental frame of mind, daily habits, socialization, exercise, and questions me if I have other concerns - any skin problems or suspicious spots, any dizziness, etc. - all of that - and he does this with every visit, yet once yearly they're incorporating this so called Medicare Wellness Exam into one of those visits each year, which seems redundant, and I'm pretty sure that my medical plan is billed extra $$$ for that.
 
debodun said:
Got that out of the way today. She was concerned because my blood pressure was low (100/60) and order blood work (I don't know exactly what test, but she mentioned "kidney function"). I thought it strange her asking me if the world situation was making me tense. I made a non-committal answer that I wished people could find a way to solve their differences without warfare. Then she replied "It's all about money." When did a doctor visit become a political platform?
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Just about anything & everything becomes a political platform these days.

But of course here on SF we cannot be trusted to discuss the single most important subject in all our lives .
 
Something I did when this situation was presented to me in a phone call a year or two ago …. at a time when I had just received a checkup and all was good at the time.

I got a phone call stating a visiting doctor would be coming to give me a routine yearly screening….. I really went off on the caller ….. only because I didn’t want to be bothered!! I really wasn’t concerned about being attacked … but anyway ...

1. I told the caller I do not know their company or their services.

2. I live alone, and am not comfortable with that situation at all, an unknown person showing up at my door stating they are a doctor.


Well, it worked … they haven’t bothered me since.
 
debodun said:
Got that out of the way today. She was concerned because my blood pressure was low (100/60) and order blood work (I don't know exactly what test, but she mentioned "kidney function"). I thought it strange her asking me if the world situation was making me tense. I made a non-committal answer that I wished people could find a way to solve their differences without warfare. Then she replied "It's all about money." When did a doctor visit become a political platform?
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Doctors are noticing increased anxiety and depression levels in their patients, I'm sure for a lot of reasons. The "world situation" would certainly be a likely source of anxiety, no matter what an individual's political outlook might be.
 
Well there you have that answer to the other unasked question . Senior falls. If you all are being asked about anxiety and depression…and are prescribed any medication for these conditions…you increase your odds of a fall. Just sayin…
 
I go to my wellness visit yearly. I also have telehealth visits with my doc as needed to manage medications, have a quick chat before renewing prescriptions etc also through my patient portal I will message as needed if O have questions and always get a quick response.

I also got yearly mammograms and pelvic exams. I opt for a bone density test every couple years, and a skin check once a year. I’m of the mind that is there’s any issue, I’d much rather catch it early.

I very rarely make an appointment for anything else because I get sick so rarely. I can also call Teledoc Health for a virtual, free doctor consultation (think urgent care or minute clinic but virtual) which I’ve done a couple times to get a prescription for a UTI because I’m prone to them.

Sometimes see a chiropractor too if Om having trouble with my back, which occasionally happens because much of my work is physical.
 
MACKTEXAS said:
I see the doctor twice a year (each 6 months) for blood work and consultation, and the wellness visit was incorporated into one of those visits, or added to it - whatever - it wasn't a special appointment.
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I do the same, I'm glad to get these blood reports twice a year, it's the best way for me to know where I'm at with my health.. I also agree with the over the top questions they have to ask ....."do you brush your teeth twice a day?"..... :rolleyes:
 
My doctor retired and the new one only asked one question at my wellness visit. It was "are you in pain every day". When I said yes he went from there and that is all we discussed. Past wellness visits have seemed like a waste of time. This new doctor did more for me with one question than all the past wellness visits put together.
 
I'm glad to have an annual wellness exam. There's no denying that I've reached an age where health problems can crop up. I'd rather address them sooner than later.

My doctor hasn't asked me if I'm sexually active, but if he did, I'd smile and ask, "Why? Are you propositioning me?"

When doctors ask a question I choose not to answer, I simply say, "Next question."
 
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