Annual Visits: What and Why?

Staying on top of your health is easier when you make preventive care a priority, and that’s exactly what an annual wellness visit helps you do. Whether you’re a Medicare beneficiary or simply someone who wants to stay proactive about your well-being, scheduling a yearly visit with your primary care provider is one of the most important steps you can take toward maintaining long-term health.

At Passion Health Primary Care, serving Plano, Frisco, and Irving, Texas, our goal is to help you understand what happens during an annual visit, why it matters, and how it helps prevent chronic diseases before they become serious.

Why Do I Need an Annual Visit?

An annual visit helps your physician check up on your body overall. This sometimes helps find areas of your body that need help that you weren’t previously aware of. It’s just smart to have a medical professional check up on you at least once a year. It’s more of a conversation about your general health than an actual body examination. This is sometimes called a wellness visit (under Medicare).

Preventive visits give your doctor the opportunity to identify early warning signs of chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and cancer. They also allow for an ongoing discussion about lifestyle, diet, exercise, medications, and mental health — all essential components of holistic primary care.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), preventive care and regular check-ups help reduce hospitalizations and improve quality of life, especially among older adults and those managing chronic illnesses. In Texas, where rates of diabetes and hypertension are above the national average, these visits are especially valuable.

If you are on Medicare Part B, you’re entitled to a free Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) every 12 months — a preventive service designed to help you and your provider develop a personalized plan to stay healthy.

What Is an Annual Wellness Visit (AWV)?

An Annual Wellness Visit is different from a traditional physical exam. It’s a preventive health assessment, not a head-to-toe physical. The purpose is to review your health history, assess risk factors, update your preventive screenings, and create a personalized plan for future care.

Who Can Perform an AWV in Texas?

In Texas, an Annual Wellness Visit can be conducted by:

• Physicians (MD or DO)
  
• Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
  
• Physician Assistants (PAs)
  
• Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS)
  

All providers must be licensed under the Texas Medical Board or Texas Board of Nursing, in compliance with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations.

What Happens at an Annual Visit?

First, your doctor or nurse will usually take your vitals. These are common measurements like blood pressure and weight/height. These are important to have and will quickly notify your physician of any irregularities. Next, you’ll be asked questions about your medical history, medication history, examination history, and other general details. This is when you’ll tell your doctor about any changes in medication, or if you’ve had any surgeries. If you have any general medical questions, this is a good place to ask them. Even if you’ve had no issues and nothing’s changed, you should still go for your annual visit.

Here’s what typically happens during your Annual Wellness Visit in Texas:

1. Health Risk Assessment (HRA)
   
   
   • Questions about lifestyle, nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being.
     
     
   • Evaluation of your risk for falls, cognitive impairment, or depression (as required by Medicare).
     
     
2. Vital Signs and Measurements
   
   
   • Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure.
     
     
   • These help identify early signs of obesity, heart disease, or other chronic conditions.
     
     
3. Medication and Medical History Review
   
   
   • Update on current prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements.
     
     
   • Discussion of side effects or medication interactions.
     
     
4. Preventive Screenings and Immunization Review
   
   
   • Based on age, sex, and risk factors, your provider may recommend screenings such as cholesterol, blood glucose, cancer screenings, or osteoporosis testing.
     
     
   • Review of vaccination status — flu shot, shingles, pneumonia, and Tdap booster.
     
     
5. Cognitive and Mental Health Screening
   
   
   • Medicare requires assessment for memory issues, anxiety, or depression.
     
     
   • Especially important for older adults and individuals with family history of dementia.
     
     
6. Personalized Prevention Plan
   
   
   • Your provider creates a tailored prevention strategy based on your results.
     
     
   • Includes lifestyle goals, referrals for screenings, and scheduling follow-ups.
     
     
7. Advance Care Planning (Optional)
   
   
   • Discussion of advance directives or healthcare proxies — important for senior Texans under Medicare.
     
     

Preventive Screenings Recommended in Texas

According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Texans should follow these preventive screening schedules:

Do I Have to Bring Anything to an Annual Visit?

It’s a good idea to bring a list of your medications, including ones that you were taking during your last annual visit. If you’ve seen any other medical professionals at all, you should bring their names and contact information. Your immunization records are also good to bring but your doctor most likely already has this information.

When you come in for your visit, make sure to bring:

• A list of all current medications and supplements
  
• Your photo ID and insurance/Medicare card
  
• Contact information for any specialists or other providers you’ve seen
  
• Any recent lab or imaging results
  
• Immunization record (available via Texas ImmTrac2 Registry)
  
• A list of your health questions or concerns
  
• Advance directive or living will (optional for Medicare beneficiaries)
  

Annual Wellness Visit Checklist (Male & Female)

For Women:

• Blood pressure and cholesterol screenin
  
• Pap smear and pelvic exam
  
• Mammogram
  
• Bone density screening (if over 65 or postmenopausal)
  
• Thyroid and diabetes testing (if risk factors present)
  
• Immunization review
  
• Mental health screening
  

For Men:

• Blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes screening
  
• Prostate health evaluation (PSA test if indicated)
  
• Colorectal cancer screening
  
• Weight, diet, and exercise counseling
  
• Immunization review
  
• Mental health and alcohol use screening
  

Medicare Annual Wellness Visit — Key Facts for Texans

• Covered once every 12 months under Medicare Part B.
  
• No out-of-pocket cost if your provider accepts Medicare assignment.
  
• Must complete at least 12 months after your “Welcome to Medicare” visit (IPPE).
  
• Can be done by a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant licensed in Texas.
  
• Includes optional advance care planning discussion.
  

Official Source: Medicare.gov — Yearly Wellness Visit Coverage

Why Annual Visits Matter in Texas

Texas ranks among the top 10 U.S. states for adult diabetes and hypertension rates, according to the CDC. Many of these conditions can be prevented or managed through early detection. Regular annual visits ensure:

• Early identification of chronic illnesses
• Better medication management
• Updated immunizations
• Improved mental and emotional well-being
• Stronger provider–patient relationships
  
  

A 2023 National Institutes of Health (NIH) study showed that patients who completed an Annual Wellness Visit were 35–40% more likely to stay up to date on preventive screenings and had lower hospital admission rates over time.

Annual Visits vs. Physical Exams

Book Your Annual Wellness Visit in Plano, Frisco, or Irving, TX

If you haven’t scheduled your annual wellness visit this year, now’s the perfect time. Preventive care is covered under Medicare, and even non-Medicare patients benefit greatly from these yearly check-ins.

At Passion Health Primary Care, our compassionate providers focus on keeping you healthy, informed, and supported — whether it’s through preventive care, chronic disease management, or personalized wellness planning.

📞 Call us today at (214) 666-6259 or book your appointment online to schedule your annual visit in Plano, Frisco, or Irving, TX.

Frequently Asked Questions About Annual Wellness Visits

Q1: Is the Annual Wellness Visit free with Medicare in Texas?
Yes. Medicare Part B covers it completely once every 12 months, provided your provider accepts Medicare assignment.

Q2: Can a nurse practitioner perform an Annual Wellness Visit in Texas?
Yes. NPs, PAs, MDs, and CNSs licensed in Texas can perform AWVs.

Q3: Is an Annual Wellness Visit the same as a physical?
No. A wellness visit focuses on prevention and future health planning, while a physical involves hands-on examination and lab testing.

Q4: What preventive screenings are included in an AWV?
Blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, cancer screening recommendations, and vaccination review are commonly included.

Q5: How can I schedule my Medicare Annual Wellness Visit in Texas?
You can book directly with your primary care provider. At Passion Health Primary Care, we make it simple to schedule your appointment in Plano, Frisco, or Irving.