By Marisa Rogers, MD, MPH,
Chief Medical Officer, Oak Street Health
(NAPSI)—Your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is an opportunity for you and your primary care provider to check in on your health and create a personalized plan for moving forward. A trusted relationship with your provider helps ensure you have support and guidance whenever health needs arise. To get the most out of your visit, here are 5 questions you can ask to help you maintain or improve your health:
Do any changes need to be made to my medications?
Be sure to review your current medications and supplements during your visit, especially if you’re seeing a new provider. It’s important to know whether you’re taking the appropriate medications and if any refills will be needed. If you’re having issues with your current medication(s), let your provider know. If you are prescribed a new medicine, ask if there are any side effects or interactions with your current medication(s). Make sure you’re comfortable knowing how often and for how long you should take a particular medication.
What health screenings or tests do you recommend for me?
Depending on your age and other risk factors, your provider may recommend screening tests for conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis and colorectal cancer. If you’re female, your provider may recommend screenings for breast and/or cervical cancer. For males, screening for prostate cancer may be recommended. Be sure to disclose if you have any personal or family history of certain cancers or diseases, as this may increase your risk.
What vaccinations do I need this year?
As people get older, their immune system gets weaker, making it harder for their body to fight off infections. This makes older adults more susceptible to illnesses such as the flu, pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and shingles. Complications from these conditions can lead to long-term illness, hospitalization and even death. Based on your lifestyle and other risk factors, your provider may recommend specific vaccines that could reduce your risk.
What can I do to stay independent as I age?
Aside from treating your health issues, your provider wants to make sure you have the information you need to improve your health and prevent other problems from occurring. Ask about any changes you should make in your diet, which physical activities you can do and what habits you should start or stop. As you age, maintaining mobility is essential for preserving independence and preventing injury. Mental health also plays an important role in influencing your cognitive function and quality of life. Strong social connections help reduce isolation and are linked to longer, healthier lives.
Will I need a follow-up exam sooner than one year?
Ask your provider’s opinion on the best follow-up schedule for you. Based on your current health or risk factors, your provider may want to see you sooner or more frequently than once a year. Also, be sure to ask what you should do in the event of having a sudden illness or symptoms. Your provider may be able to see you for urgent visits, allowing you to avoid the emergency room for minor illnesses.
At Oak Street Health, we deliver personalized, preventive primary care through a model that was created to meet the unique needs of older adults. Our providers get to know you by listening to you and understanding your history and goals. We plan your health journey together to help you get more from the years ahead. By staying on top of health concerns, we help our patients stay healthy and live life more fully.
To find an Oak Street Health location nearby, visit oakstreethealth.com/locations or call 855-252-6756.
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"Your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is an opportunity for you and your primary care provider to check in on your health and create a personalized plan for moving forward, advises Marisa Rogers, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer, Oak Street Health."
