Informational Guide to Preventative Visits- (a.k.a Yearly, Physical, or Wellness Exam)
Thank you for choosing Bothell Women’s Health for your care today! We want to make sure you have the best possible experience at BWH, and part of that involves making sure you are fully informed about all aspects of your care. This handout will help you understand your preventative visit, including issues related to billing and insurance.
There are hundreds of different insurance plans, each with unique coverage and benefits for different services. Many cover the cost of preventative visits at 100%, however some do not cover them at all. Copays, co-insurance, and deductible amounts are complicated and vary between each individual plan.
We always recommend you verify your benefits with your insurance company before your scheduled visit with us. This will help you to understand the coverage provided by your particular insurance plan, and give the opportunity to ask questions. This will benefit you as well as our clinic to help prevent any misunderstandings associated with your visit and the subsequent billing process.
What is a preventative visit?
A preventative visit is an opportunity to have a full examination of all body systems, and have a discussion with your provider about improving health and preventing future illnesses. You will be offered screening blood tests and referrals for preventative testing like a mammogram and colonoscopy, and maintenance medications will be reviewed and refilled. You are experiencing a new medical problem (examples: abdominal pain, fatigue, or a sore throat) it is best to treat the immediate concerns first, and reschedule your wellness exam for another day. Due to the complexity and variations of insurance rules, we cannot provide you with a wellness exam and a problem visit on the same day.
A preventative visit may include (depending on your insurance):
• A Physical Exam (NOT covered by Medicare)
• Urinalysis (NOT covered by Medicare)
• A review of your medical history
• Education and counseling about preventative services
• A discussion about recommended screening tests and immunizations
• Nutrition and exercise recommendations
• Maintenance refills of your regular medications
• Birth control maintenance
• Routine blood tests
• Pap Smear & Cultures in indicated
A preventative visit does NOT include:
• Evaluation of new problems or symptoms.
• Evaluation and discussion of new medications or a significant change in your current prescription.
• Management of chronic conditions that are unstable.
*Please note that just because a test is recommended by your provider at your preventative visit, does not necessarily mean it will be covered by your insurance *