Medicare offers participants an Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) which is not an appointment for a "physical", although it is easy to see why some may think it is. It should be thought of more like a "getting to know you" or "interview" visit. It can be thought of setting a base line of information. Beneficiaries can qualify for this if they: ■ Are not within the first 12 months of their first Medicare Part B coverage period; and ■ Have not received an Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE) or AWV within the past 12 months. Translated that means : if they have not had one of these done already AND that they haven't had a IPPE either, in the last year. It is possible to check a data base to see if they have already had any of these services. Inquiry with your employer. This document is divided into two sections: the first explains the elements of a beneficiary’s initial AWV; the second explains the elements of all subsequent AWVs. Y