Medicare Made Clear: What Every New Beneficiary Needs to Know in 2026

When you become eligible for Medicare, you may hear several similar-sounding terms: the “Welcome to Medicare” visit, the Annual Wellness Visit, and a routine physical exam. Although these appointments can all play a role in managing your health, they are not the same—and Medicare may cover them differently. Understanding the distinction before scheduling an appointment can help you ask the right questions, make better use of your benefits, and avoid unexpected costs. The “Welcome to Medicare” Preventive Visit The “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit is a one-time appointment available during the first 12 months that you have Medicare Part B. This visit is designed to establish a baseline for your health and create a preventive-care plan. Your provider may review your medical and social history, discuss screenings and vaccines, check basic measurements, perform a simple vision test, assess certain health risks, and provide a written checklist of recommended preventive services.

Choosing Medicare coverage is an important decision—but it is not necessarily a one-time decision. The coverage that worked well when you first enrolled may not continue to fit as your health, prescriptions, finances or lifestyle change. Unfortunately, many people automatically renew their coverage year after year without checking whether it still meets their needs. Here are seven life changes that may signal it is time for a Medicare coverage review. 1. You Were Prescribed a New Medication Prescription needs can change quickly. A new medication may not be covered by your current plan, may fall into a different cost tier or may require prior authorization. Even when a medication is covered, the amount you pay can vary between plans and pharmacies. Before making a coverage decision, consider reviewing: Your complete prescription list Dosages and frequency Preferred pharmacies Mail-order options Plan formularies and medication restrictions A plan with a low premium

When most people think about Medicare, they think about coverage for doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and medical treatment. But Medicare also provides access to a wide range of preventive services designed to help beneficiaries stay healthier and identify potential health concerns earlier. Understanding these benefits can help you get more value from your Medicare coverage—and may help you have better conversations with your healthcare providers throughout the year. Medicare Is About More Than Treating Illness Preventive healthcare focuses on identifying health risks before they become more serious. Medicare Part B covers numerous preventive and screening services, including certain exams, vaccines, laboratory tests, screenings, counseling, and health-monitoring programs. Depending on eligibility and other Medicare requirements, preventive services may include: Cardiovascular disease screenings Diabetes screenings Colorectal cancer screenings Mammograms Prostate cancer screenings Lung cancer screenings Bone mass measurements Glaucoma screenings Depression screenings Certain vaccinations Tobacco-use counseling Obesity behavioral therapy Medical nutrition

When most people hear the words “annual checkup,” they assume they’re talking about a physical exam. Under Medicare, however, there’s an important difference between an Annual Wellness Visit and a routine physical—and understanding that difference can help you stay healthier while avoiding unexpected costs. As a Medicare beneficiary, your Annual Wellness Visit is one of the most valuable preventive benefits available to you. What Is an Annual Wellness Visit? The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is a preventive appointment designed to help you and your healthcare provider create or update a personalized plan for maintaining your health. Rather than diagnosing illnesses, the visit focuses on prevention and identifying potential health risks before they become serious. Medicare covers this visit once every 12 months for eligible beneficiaries. During your appointment, your provider may: Review your medical and family history Update your list of medications Check your height, weight, blood pressure, and other