A day that feels steady and uninterrupted. The kind where you have the energy and focus to work, spend time with family, keep your routines and do the things that matter to you.
Preventive care can help protect moments like these. By design, this care helps spot potential issues early, when they’re easier to manage and less likely to interrupt your life.
Preventive care also helps identify small changes in your health that you may not be aware of. Whether you’re building a foundation for long-term health or continuing routines you’ve already put in place, staying consistent makes it easier to notice changes early and take action before they become disruptive.
Preventive care includes Medicare annual Wellness visits, during which you’ll receive age-appropriate screenings, medication review, advance care planning, and vaccines that help protect against preventable illness.
Medicare covers annual Wellness visits at no cost to you, eliminating any financial barrier and making it easier to take advantage of prevention as a tool to empower and protect your energy, routines and independence.
You may have out-of-pocket costs for lab tests or other screenings your provider orders if they are not covered by Medicare as a preventive service. Coverage for non-preventive (diagnostic) testing is based on your Medicare Part B benefits. If you have questions about coverage, contact Anthem Health Guide at (844) 437-0486 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT, except holidays), or view the plan documents.
Learn about recommended screenings
WATCH Protect The Moments That Matter for an overview of recommended screenings based on age.
Preventive vs. diagnostic care
Preventive care helps catch issues early and even prevent them altogether.
Diagnostic care is used when you have symptoms and your doctor needs to determine what’s wrong. The same tests may be used, but diagnostic care is covered according to Medicare Part B benefits and may include a deductible and coinsurance.
Tips for taking care of your health now to protect what comes next
Primary care provider
Think of your primary care provider (PCP) as a long-term partner in health — someone who knows your history, what’s normal for you and how to help you stay ahead of health issues. That ongoing relationship supports more personalized care and helps reduce stress, cost, worry and disruptions to your life.
PCPs include family medicine and internal medicine providers as well as geriatricians for older adults. A PCP may be a doctor (MD or DO), physician assistant (PA) or nurse practitioner (NP).
Your PCP specializes in preventive care — checkups, screenings and vaccines — and provides care when you’re sick or injured. This approach helps maintain your well-being and prevent future health issues.
Choose a PCP you like
Always start your provider search at medicare.gov/care-compare to find providers near you that accept Medicare.
If you’re having trouble finding a doctor, Anthem Health Guide can help. Call Anthem at (844) 437-0486 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT, except holidays).
Habits that support your life
Small actions you take today — like following treatment plans, keeping up with recommended screenings and medications, and using telehealth when it fits your schedule — help protect the energy, routines and independence you want tomorrow.
Make the appointment
It’s easy to put off care. Maybe you’re worried about what you might find. Or life just feels too busy. Making time for preventive care now can help protect your energy, routines and peace of mind, so life stays fuller, easier and less interrupted.
If it’s been a year or more since your last Medicare annual Wellness visit, schedule an appointment with your PCP. Think of it as a gift to future you.