IPPE – Initial Preventive Physical Examination

The initial preventive physical exam (IPPE), also known as the “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit, promotes good health through disease prevention and detection. Medicare pays for 1 IPPE per lifetime if it’s provided within the first 12 months after the patient’s Part B coverage starts. During this visit, your doctor or other health care provider will:

1. Review your medical and social history related to your health.

2. Give you information about preventive services, including certain screenings, shots or vaccines (like flu, pneumococcal, and other recommended immunizations).

3. Review your potential risk factors for substance use disorder (like alcohol and tobacco use), and refer you for treatment, if needed.

4. Give you referrals for other care as needed.

5. Calculate your body mass index (BMI).

6. Give you a simple vision test.

7. Review your potential risk for depression.

8. Offer to talk with you about creating advance directives. Advance directives are legal documents that record your wishes about future medical treatment, in case you’re ever unable to make decisions about your care.

9. Give you a written plan (like a checklist) letting you know what screenings, shots, and other preventive services you need