Original Medicare generally does not cover a routine annual physical. It does cover a Welcome to Medicare visit and yearly Wellness visits. The office may use “checkup” to mean different appointments, so ask which benefit it will bill.

What Original Medicare Covers Instead

Part B covers:

  • One Welcome to Medicare preventive visit during the first 12 months of Part B
  • A yearly Wellness visit after you have had Part B for more than 12 months, with at least 12 months since a Welcome or previous Wellness visit

These visits focus on health risks, history, prevention planning, measurements, medications, and recommended screenings. They are not comprehensive physical exams.

Can Other Care Be Covered at the Same Appointment?

Yes. If you discuss a new symptom or an ongoing condition, Medicare may cover a medically necessary evaluation under Part B’s medical coverage. The deductible and coinsurance may apply to that separate service.

Tests, procedures, or preventive services may also be covered under their own rules. A service is not automatically free merely because it occurs during a Wellness visit.

For example, a covered Wellness visit costs $0 when you qualify and the provider accepts Medicare’s approved amount as full payment, called assignment. If the clinician also evaluates a medical problem, that service may have a separate charge. A made-up $100 approved charge could leave you $20 to pay if you have met the Part B deductible. You could owe more before meeting it, and you can be charged the full cost of a routine physical that Medicare does not cover.

How to Avoid Billing Surprises

When scheduling, say whether you want the Welcome to Medicare visit, the yearly Wellness visit, or evaluation of a medical problem. Ask whether the clinician plans to perform a routine physical and what it would cost.

Some Medicare Advantage plans offer a routine physical as an extra benefit, but frequency, network, and cost rules vary.

Discuss symptoms that need attention. Ask the office how those services will be billed so you can understand the costs while getting the care you need.

Medicare policy sources last checked: October 8, 2026.