Does Medicare wellness exam include blood work?

Asked by: Kody D'Amore  |  Last update: August 14, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (37 votes)

Wellness checkups are not the same as "physicals." You can expect questions about your current health status and history. Since blood work and physical exams are not part of the visit, most providers offer video visits. Talk to your provider about your options and preferences.

Does Medicare Wellness cover blood work?

Bloodwork, X-rays, lab tests, and any other medical biometric data collection are explicitly not covered under Medicare's Annual Wellness Visit. These ancillary procedures are often performed in conjunction with an annual physical or a sick visit.

Do they do blood work at a wellness check?

Wellness Check Contents: A wellness check typically includes an assessment of general health, lifestyle, family history, and a physical examination. Inclusion of Blood Work in Wellness Exams: Blood work is not always a standard part of a wellness exam but may be included based on individual health needs.

What is not covered in a Medicare annual wellness visit?

Annual Wellness Visits do not include: A physical exam. Diagnosing of new conditions. Treatment of existing or new conditions.

Is bloodwork part of a wellness visit?

Does a Wellness Exam Include Blood Work? Yes, a wellness exam can include blood work. However, it's important to note that the specific tests conducted during a wellness exam may vary from person to person.

Does Medicare Cover Lab Work?

15 related questions found

What is the difference between a Medicare wellness exam and a physical exam?

While a physical includes a full examination and a wellness evaluation, an Annual Wellness Visits focuses solely on a patient's answers to a health risk assessment. It does not typically include any lab work or tests requiring physical contact.

Are blood tests included in preventive care?

Answer: If the physician orders lab work during a preventive care visit some of the tests may be covered as preventive care, such as a cholesterol screening. However, other blood chemistry panels like iron, kidney or liver function and urinalysis, would not be covered as preventive care.

How often will Medicare pay for routine blood work?

Does Medicare Offer Coverage for Routine Blood Work? Medicare fully covers only medically necessary blood work. This means a doctor orders the test because they are trying to make a diagnosis. Routine blood work (such as a cholesterol check at an annual physical) is not covered.

What are the 6 things Medicare doesn't cover?

Some of the items and services Medicare doesn't cover include:
  • Eye exams (for prescription eyeglasses)
  • Long-term care.
  • Cosmetic surgery.
  • Massage therapy.
  • Routine physical exams.
  • Hearing aids and exams for fitting them.

What are the three words to remember for a Medicare wellness exam?

Word recollection (Banana, Sunrise, Chair) Have patient repeat the 3 words, tell them to remember them.

Is bloodwork part of a check up?

A blood test is a lab analysis of things that may be found in your blood. You may have blood tests to keep track of how well you are managing a condition, such as diabetes or high cholesterol. You may also have them for routine checkups or when you are ill. Blood tests are very common.

Is a urine test part of a wellness exam?

Along with other screening tools like blood tests, urinalysis is an important part of your annual wellness visit. Urinalysis can be used to: Check your overall health. Diagnose a new health condition.

What labs are in a wellness panel?

Wellness Panel Labs
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC) These tests assess general health status and are frequently used to screen for and monitor a variety of disorders. ...
  • Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) These tests assess liver and kidney function, electrolyte balance and blood sugar level. ...
  • Thyroid Panel. ...
  • Lipid Panel.

What blood tests does Medicare not cover?

It's important to know that Medicare won't cover any blood test if it isn't medically necessary. If you seek a blood test on your own, it's unlikely you'll get it covered. Tests not covered may include those for employment purposes, wellness screenings, or routine monitoring without medical necessity.

Are labs part of an annual physical?

During the exam, the PCP will take height and weight measurements, listen to the heart and lungs, and examine the body for abnormalities. But one of the most important, and often overlooked, components of a thorough annual physical examination is lab testing.

Can you refuse a Medicare wellness visit for seniors?

People can refuse a Medicare annual wellness visit, but it is worth considering the potential benefits. Wellness visits can help healthcare professionals detect health issues early on and are an important part of preventive care.

Why are people leaving Medicare Advantage plans?

Key takeaways: People leave Medicare Advantage plans because out-of-pocket costs vary between plans, network restrictions can cause frustration, prior authorization requests can delay care, and it can be difficult to use the additional benefits they provide.

What procedures will Medicare not pay for?

We don't cover these routine items and services: Routine or annual physical checkups (visit Medicare Wellness Visits to learn about exceptions). exams required by third parties, like insurance companies, businesses, or government agencies. Eye exams for prescribing, fitting, or changing eyeglasses.

Does Medicare pay for wellness blood work?

Any blood work or lab tests that may be part of a physical exam, are also not included under a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit.

How much does a full panel blood test cost?

Key takeaways: The cost of blood work depends on factors such as the type of test, where you live, and the facility you go to. Without insurance, you can typically expect to pay between $29 and $99 per test or panel for common types of blood work.

Why did Medicare deny my lab work?

Medicare does not provide payment for every laboratory test. Medicare limits coverage of certain tests depending upon the reason your healthcare provider may have for ordering tests and how often testing is performed.

Does a routine physical include blood work?

Some blood tests may be necessary during your annual physical, especially if you are at particular risk for specific conditions and diseases. These tests might include a metabolic panel, a comprehensive blood count, diabetes or thyroid screening, or a lipid panel.

Why are blood tests not covered by insurance?

Preventive vs. Diagnostic: If the blood work is part of preventive care (such as routine screening tests), many insurance plans cover it fully. However, if the blood work is for diagnostic purposes (e.g., to investigate a symptom or monitor a known health condition), it might come with out-of-pocket costs.

Does health screening include blood test?

Health screening packages generally focus on common health concerns like obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease. These screenings usually include blood, urine, and stool samples, as well as imaging tests such as X-rays and ultrasounds.