When you first enroll in Medicare Part B, you unlock a one-time benefit that many new beneficiaries either do not know about or put off until it is too late. The "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit, formally known as the Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE), is a comprehensive health review designed to set you up for success as a Medicare beneficiary.
What Is the Welcome to Medicare Visit?
The Welcome to Medicare visit is a one-time preventive physical exam that Medicare Part B covers during your first 12 months of enrollment. It is not a standard checkup or sick visit. Instead, it serves as a baseline health assessment that helps your doctor understand your current condition and identify any potential issues early on.
Think of it as your starting point in Medicare. The information gathered during this visit shapes the preventive care you receive going forward, including the screenings and services included in your future Annual Wellness Visits.
When Can You Get It?
You must schedule and complete the Welcome to Medicare visit within 12 months of the effective date of your Part B coverage. If you miss this window, the benefit expires permanently. You cannot make it up later.
For example, if your Part B coverage starts on January 1, 2026, you have until December 31, 2026 to use this benefit. After that date, it is gone.
This is one of the most commonly missed Medicare benefits, often because new enrollees are not aware of the deadline or assume they can schedule it whenever they like.
What Does the Visit Include?
The Welcome to Medicare visit is more thorough than you might expect. During the appointment, your provider will typically:
- Review your medical history: Your doctor will go over your past and current health conditions, surgeries, medications, and family medical history.
- Perform a physical examination: This includes checking your blood pressure, weight, height, vision, and overall physical condition.
- Order baseline screening tests: Depending on your health profile and risk factors, your provider may order an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG), blood tests, or other baseline labs.
- Check your functional ability: Your doctor will evaluate your ability to perform everyday activities and assess any safety concerns in your daily life.
- Screen for depression: A standardized screening tool is used to check for signs of depression.
- Assess your fall risk: Your provider will look at factors that might increase your chances of falling and suggest preventive steps.
- Provide health education and referrals: Based on the exam results, your doctor will discuss preventive services you should receive, provide lifestyle recommendations, and refer you to specialists if needed.
- Create a written screening schedule: You will receive a list of recommended preventive services and screenings tailored to your health needs, which becomes the foundation for your future Annual Wellness Visits.
How Much Does It Cost?
The Welcome to Medicare visit is covered at $0 to you under Part B, with no deductible and no coinsurance, as long as your provider accepts Medicare assignment.
However, there is an important caveat. If your doctor orders additional tests or services during the visit that go beyond the scope of the IPPE, such as blood work to investigate a specific complaint, those may be billed separately and subject to normal Part B cost-sharing (the annual deductible and 20% coinsurance).
To keep the visit free, focus on the preventive aspects and save any unrelated health concerns for a follow-up appointment.
How Does It Differ From the Annual Wellness Visit?
The Welcome to Medicare visit and the Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) are related but distinct benefits. Here is how they compare:
| | Welcome to Medicare Visit | Annual Wellness Visit | |---|---|---| | When available | Once, within first 12 months of Part B | Every 12 months after the IPPE | | Physical exam | Yes, includes a hands-on exam | No physical exam | | Baseline tests | May include EKG and labs | No tests included | | Purpose | Establish a health baseline | Update prevention plan annually | | Cost | $0 under Part B | $0 under Part B |
The IPPE is a more traditional physical exam, while the AWV is a planning and review session. The IPPE gathers baseline data; the AWV uses that data to track changes and adjust your prevention strategy each year.
You become eligible for your first AWV 12 months after your Welcome to Medicare visit. So if you complete your IPPE in March 2026, you can schedule your first AWV starting in March 2027.
Why You Should Not Skip It
There are several compelling reasons to make sure you use this benefit before your window closes:
- It is free. There is no financial barrier. Medicare covers the visit completely.
- It establishes a baseline. Having a documented starting point makes it easier for your doctor to spot changes in your health over time.
- It connects you with preventive services. The screening schedule you receive during the visit ensures you do not miss important tests and vaccinations.
- It opens the door to the AWV. While you can technically start receiving Annual Wellness Visits without completing the IPPE, having the baseline data from the Welcome visit makes the AWV far more useful.
- It is a one-time offer. Once the 12-month window closes, you lose this benefit forever. There are no extensions or exceptions.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit
- Schedule it early in your Part B enrollment. Do not wait until month 11. Book it within the first few months so you have a buffer in case of scheduling issues.
- Bring a complete medication list. Include prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, along with dosages.
- Prepare your medical history. Write down past surgeries, chronic conditions, and any family history of serious illness. Having this ready saves time and helps your doctor give more tailored advice.
- Ask questions. Use this opportunity to learn about the preventive services available to you and what to expect in the coming years.
- Choose a provider who accepts Medicare assignment. This ensures the visit is truly free.
Final Thoughts
The Welcome to Medicare visit is an important opportunity to start your Medicare journey with a complete picture of your health. It is thorough, it is free, and it is only available once. If you are newly enrolled in Part B, put this appointment at the top of your to-do list and schedule it well before your 12-month deadline.