Most seniors should see their doctor at least once a year for a wellness visit, and every 3 to 6 months if they manage a chronic condition. Medicare Part B covers one Annual Wellness Visit every 12 months at no cost when the provider accepts assignment. That yearly visit is the floor, not the target. CDC data from 2023 shows that 93 percent of adults 65 and older have at least one chronic condition, and nearly 79 percent have two or more. Those conditions need checking between annual visits. Below is a schedule based on health status, plus what Medicare pays for.

How Often Seniors Should Visit

Health Status	How Often to Visit
No chronic conditions	Once a year
One stable condition	Every 6 months
Two or more conditions	Every 3 to 4 months
Recent medication change	2 to 4 weeks after the change
After a fall or hospital stay	Within 1 to 2 weeks

These are typical schedules. Your provider sets the final plan based on how stable your conditions are.

What Medicare Covers Each Year

Medicare covers one Annual Wellness Visit every 12 months, measured from your last one rather than by calendar year. New enrollees also get a one-time Welcome to Medicare visit during their first 12 months on Part B. Both cost nothing when your provider accepts assignment.

One point causes confusion. The Annual Wellness Visit is not a head-to-toe physical exam. It covers a health risk questionnaire, height, weight, blood pressure, a medication review, and a cognitive check. If you want a full physical or need chronic disease management, that is a separate appointment.

Why You Should Report Every Fall

The CDC reports that more than 14 million adults 65 and older, roughly 1 in 4, fall each year, and fewer than half tell their doctor. Falls signal problems worth catching early, including medication side effects, weak balance, vision changes, and low blood pressure. Report every fall, even one that caused no injury.

Final Thoughts

Once a year is the minimum for seniors, and most people managing two or more conditions need visits every three to four months. Use your covered wellness visit, and bring a full list of medications plus any falls since your last appointment. Call Yorktown Health Vernon Hills to schedule your Annual Wellness Visit.