Medicare patients
Medicare plans we accept
- Medicare Part B
- Palmetto GBA Railroad Medicare
- UCare (only in Specialty Care departments)
- Medica (some plans only accepted in Specialty Care departments)
- HealthPartners
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
Medicare Supplements
- We accept all Medicare supplements
Medicare plans we do not accept
- Aetna Value - Premier
- Humana Gold Choice
- NorthStar
- Secure Horizons
- Sterling
- UHC Plan of the River
- Unicare
- Any other PFFS plans
Annual Wellness Exam Information
Under the Affordable Care Act, Medicare patients may now receive coverage for an Annual Wellness Visit (AWV). This is a yearly office visit that focuses on preventive health. During the AWV, health care providers will review a patient’s history and risk factors for diseases, ensure that the patient’s medication list is up to date, and provide personalized health advice and counseling. The first AWV also allows the provider to establish a written personalized prevention plan. This new benefit will provide an ongoing focus on prevention that can be adapted as a patient’s health needs change over time.
Welcome to Medicare Visit Information
Medicare provides coverage for the Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE), commonly known as the "Welcome to Medicare" visit. This exam is provided as a one-time service to newly-enrolled beneficiaries. The IPPE is an introduction to Medicare and covered benefits, with a focus on health promotion and disease detection.
The IPPE must be performed within the first 12 months after the patient’s effective date of their Medicare Part B coverage. It contains a number of components that focus on prevention, including a complete medical/social/family history, a focused physical examination (i.e., body mass index, blood pressure, and visual acuity), an assessment of functional ability, and counseling.
Medicare Secondary Payer Questions
Medicare requires care providers to determine when Medicare should be billed for a patient’s services. HealthPartners may have to complete the Medicare Secondary Payer Questionnaire when you schedule an appointment with us and depending on the visit type, we may have to complete the questionnaire more than once if you are scheduling multiple appointments for the same day. Completion of this form provides proof to Medicare that they are or are not responsible for being billed for the patient’s visit based on the reason for the visit.
Compliance in completing these forms is mandatory for Medicare patients. We understand that it can be frustrating to answer these questions, especially more than once, but we appreciate your cooperation and partnership in helping us bill your insurance correctly.
Advanced Beneficiary Notices
The Advanced Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN) is issued by providers, including independent laboratories, physicians, practitioners, and suppliers, in situations where Medicare payment is expected to be denied. You will be asked to sign the ABN form in your provider’s office.