Primary Care Geriatrics

Geriatrics Primary Care

Primary care involves a “partnership” between the patient, the family or caregiver, the health care provider and the community to address the majority of the patient’s health care needs.  It focuses on prevention, including age-appropriate screenings for common geriatric syndromes and management of one or more chronic conditions that are common in older individuals. Having a primary care physician specially trained in caring for older persons permits symptom identification, monitoring and medication management for many of these issues in regular medical visits, with options for referrals to specialists as the need arises.  

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Program

An in-depth assessment for older individuals who are in good health, as well as those with complex health problems and chronic conditions who are taking multiple medications, is key to maintaining independence and function, even as needs change.

Medicare Preventive Benefits

If you have Medicare Part B, it will pay for preventive care to help you stay healthy. There are two types of preventive programs - the "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit and the "Annual Wellness Visit." Both of these services are free if your doctor accepts assignment, and no co-payment is required. If you require additional tests, or receive other services during the visit that are not covered under preventative benefits, a co-payment and Medicare Part B deductible may apply.

Welcome to Medicare

You qualify for this visit only once - within the first 12 months you have Part B. This visit includes a review of your medical history and health-related social history, and provides education and counseling about preventive services.

Yearly Wellness Visit

If you've had Part B for longer than 12 months, you qualify for this visit. During this appointment, you will work with your provider to develop or update your personalized prevention plan, based on your current health and risk factors. Your provider will ask you to fill out a questionnaire, called a "Heath Risk Assessment," as part of your visit. Answering these questions helps you and your provider develop a strategy to help you stay healthy.

Click here for more details on Annual Wellness Visit.