No annual exam after 70? Or 65?

[question everything]

I have been having an annual exam with my primary physician each year for the past 10 years that I have been a patient.

But this year I was thinking of changing clinics. It merged with the U which, while supposedly internationally known I would prefer to stay way. Last year I could not get any response about the Covid vaccine. My spouse - already 75 and vaccinated - was scheduled for an open heart surgery. Once all the Holidays Covidiots were flushed from the hospital, and I desperately wanted a vaccine. Any email response was from a roboreader and trying to call was: all representatives are busy etc.

Then I found that a different clinic associated with the local hospital had a separate lottery for 65 and older. I managed to get an appointment - online - and a shot within a week.

Thus, I decided to move my "business" to that clinic. Already my oncologist and cardiologist are with this hospital.

And... seems that this was Medicare Wellness. Whatever that is. That, apparently, annual exams are not recommended, or needed for seniors over 65 or 70 (I don't recall). My vitals were measured, my prescriptions were filled, I was reminded to have a colonoscopy - seems that this is the call for seniors these days - and... that was it.

I did not even remove my clothes. No cognitive test - remember Whinny Donny proud repetition - except to inquire whether I think I have a problem with my memory. Yes, I do forget certain words on occasions.

So.... I will have to reconsider next year.

What are the experience, if any, of others here?

[montanacowboy]

1. I have one every year

and they do all the tests, blood tests and cognitive, etc. And there is no charge as Medicare does not charge for the annual wellness check up. I don't understand why they are telling you it is not recommended.

[Croney]

2. I remember being thrilled to hear I no longer needed an annual PAP.

Don't remember if it was at age 65 or 70. Mammograms are still needed. I don't think I'll have any more colonoscopies. I've stretched my annual physical to every two years. The eye dr sees me frequently to monitor glaucoma.

[Phoenix61]

5. Think hard about the colonoscopy.

I lost my dad when he was 86 to colon cancer. I’m not sure when he stopped having colonoscopies as he’d always been very pro-active health wise. Whenever it was, it was too soon.

[Croney]

6. You're right of course. Thanks.

[leftieNanner]

3. The Medicare Wellness Check is essentially a big NOTHING

They take basic vitals and that's about it. They are not permitted to touch you. My doctor schedules a second appointment (miraculously right after the wellness check!) and she does a more extensive examination. I would continue to insist on an annual physical. My mother's doctor found a spot on her lung when she was 80 and it turns out it was malignant. But because they caught it so early, she had surgery and did not require chemo or radiation.

Good luck.

[Siwsan]

9. My 'wellness check' is a little more than that.

She checks my extremities, does reflex tests, using a tuning fork for something or other, listens to heart, lungs, arteries in my neck, takes a LOT of blood. Urine analysis, checks my eyes, ears, nose, throat. I even had an EKG at my last appointment. It was delightfully normal.

I've let my APN know that I'm not someone who will fight tooth and nail to stay on the planet, sacrificing quality of life for quantity of life. If my body starts to turn on me, I'll find the most peaceful way to spend my final days. She fully respects this.

I've seen enough of what happened to members of my family who opted to be radiated, poisoned and dissected in an attempt to extend their lives a little longer and they all died excruciatingly painful/awful deaths. No thanks. I don't want to put anyone through what I've experienced.

To each their own, but that's the decision I've made.

[leftieNanner]

10. Good for you

I agree with you about not having every medical thing done to prolong life.

My husband's cousin had breast cancer and she opted to do chemo. It was a grueling end to her life. She told her sister before she passed that she wished she hadn't done all the treatments.

My parents both had very specific instructions in writing - essentially give me morphine and let me go.

[jmbar2]

13. I feel the same way.

Have a friend who is 70 went through a mastectomy, radiation and chemo. After that, she was cancer-free, but contracted Parkinson's, possibly a side-effect from the chemo. She was going through medical stuff for nearly two years.

I don't think I'd want to fight that hard to get older. But when faced with it head-on, I might change my mind, not sure.

[question everything]

15. I had one scheduled but cancelled it now

Will consider a visit in six months or so since I have just had the main issues.

Yes, I think that it is important for a physician to check to find if something has changed.

[lillypaddle]

4. I'm 73

Per google:

How often do I need to see my doctor for prescription refills?
If your doctor includes refills on your prescription, you have one year to use them. After that, you or your pharmacy will need to contact the doctor for another prescription.

A standard prescription is valid for 6 months from the date on the prescription, unless the medicine prescribed contains a controlled medicine.

Thus, I go in to see my PCP every 6 months to discuss with him any changes in my health, and have a very minimalistic exam - basically he listens to my heart and lungs. After this, I go to the lab in the same office to have blood drawn for various things he has ordered. The lab results will determine any changes to my meds.

I have never gone in for the "Medicare Wellness Check," much to their chagrin. I think it is just how to eat healthy, how important it is to keep a healthy weight and exercise, a bone density test, and stuff I don't need to know, as I already know what I'm doing wrong.

It's free, but since I already see my doc every six months, and a cardiologist and pulmonologist each once a year, I just don't see the need. YMMV.

Hope this helps.

[question everything]

16. Thanks. I will try to schedule an appointment for a real exam in six months

since I just had one and, fingers crossed, no major issue. I just need to schedule a fasting blood test.

[lillypaddle]

18. Sounds right

hardest part for me is the "fasting."

[Tomconroy]

7. I do one every year. The blood tests are very important.

[question everything]

11. Yes, I am supposed to have it. Since I was not fasting I need to reschedule

to check that my cholesterol and high pressure meds do what they are supposed to without any damage.

[cate94]

8. I will continue to go.

But funny they forgot to do the cognitive test, and called me later to do it on the phone.
They do blood work, which gives them a lot of information. Listened to my heart and lungs etc. for me it was no different than my previous annual exams. (This was my first Medicare Wellness exam.)

[Baitball Blogger]

12. It's bullshit not to take an annual exam.

My sister-in-law was told that she didn't need a mammogram at her age. She insisted on having it and discovered she had breast cancer. They caught it in time.

We need to find out who the bean counters are that have decided to push us out of the system to save money.

[3Hotdogs]

14. One question. IF you get the cognitive test like Donny 2Scoops,

and you can't distinguish between the elephant and the giraffe, are you gonna order Previgen or go to your optometrist?

[question everything]

17. Thanks for the laugh. These days any chance is a blessing

[Rebl2]

19. I have

never heard of this. Do you have a Medicare advantage plan?

[question everything]

20. Yes I do.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

21. I'm someone who is remarkably healthy and tends to avoid doctors.

Oh, and for all of you who get an annual flu vaccine, it's actually better take every other year.
Yeah, research that.

I honestly think that among the reasons I'm so amazingly healthy is that I am not bamboozled into constant and ongoing care or tests 0r whatever.

Never get flu shots. Last had influenza in the 1960s. I am fully vaccinated against Covid (the J&J shot) because I'm not a complete idiot. I essentially never get sick, other than annoying seasonal allergies. Which were quite bad this past weekend but have since gone away entirely.

I sincerely hope that none of you construe my comments as something to change what you do, other than perhaps switching your yearly flu vaccine to every other year. Really, the every other year effectiveness is supported by science.

[question everything]

22. Not even dental and vision checks?

Yes, annual, dental more often.

Did you research include last year? It was reported that having both the Covid and the flu vaccines made it better.

And, as I have posted on another thread there is a game change after 70. For many.

[Lydiarose]

23. No pap after 65 or 70 (depending on advisor)

1. There are new guidelines that women age 65+ or (70+) who have had three normal Pap tests in the last 10 years no longer need to get Pap tests. This is not true if you are high risk such as a DES daughter, have a family history, etc.
2. I talked to a Medicare support staff asking why annual physical exams aren't covered. She said that Wellness exams take their place and are - to be honest (her words) - really the same thing.
3. Did you ever read your Medicare medical summary after a Wellness exam? It's hilarious what they charge you for. Read it for a good laugh.