Preventive Exam FAQs

What is a preventive exam?

A preventive exam is a visit that will provide a complete set of preventive services, counseling, education and disease screening for average-risk adults.

Preventive services or screenings may find diseases that have no signs or symptoms. A preventive exam typically includes a complete medical history, a medication and allergy review, an exam, a discussion of breast and colorectal cancer screening, an immunization review, high blood pressure screening, tobacco and alcohol use screening, cholesterol screening, Chlamydia screening for women of childbearing years and calcium counseling.

Are preventive services covered by health insurance?

Coverage for preventive services varies among insurers. The only way to know for sure is to call your insurance company. 

Medicare typically does not cover a preventive exam. Some supplements to Medicare will cover this type of exam. Please check your individual plan. There is a one-time limited exam called “welcome to Medicare physical exam,” which is covered by Medicare, with a deductible. This exam needs to be completed within six months of Medicare enrollment. If you wish to schedule a “welcome to Medicare” visit, please let us know in advance because it is different than a standard preventive exam. Medicare typically covers follow-up visits of chronic disease management and may pay for certain cancer screening tests, as well as screening blood tests. For more details, visit the Staying Healthy section of Medicare’s Web site.

During my preventive exam, what if my doctor recommends services not covered by my insurance?

We want you to get the services you need, regardless of insurance coverage.

If a test or service is ordered by a Park Nicollet provider that may not be covered, you will be asked to sign an advance beneficiary notice (ABN). By reading and signing this form, you agree to pay for the service if your insurance company denies coverage.

What if I have other issues that I want to discuss during my preventive exam?

Your Park Nicollet medical providers want to fully understand your medical issues. You are encouraged to discuss problems and concerns with your providers. When these discussions lead to additional medical services being performed, an additional charge or copay may be incurred.

Insurance carriers require accurate reporting from doctors when preventive care and additional problems are addressed during the same visit. So while you may be taking care of two health care concerns at one time, your insurer may see it as taking care of two office visits in one and assess your benefits accordingly.

Should I fast?

Fasting is optional. Please fast if it is convenient for you and you want to have all your lab tests done on the same day as your appointment. Take your medications the day of your visit. 

• If you are a patient with diabetes, do not fast.
• If your provider has given you alternate instructions, please follow those directions. 

What should I bring to my appointment?

If you have scheduled a preventive exam at Park Nicollet, we will send you a health assessment questionnaire that you will need to complete before your visit. Do not mail your completed questionnaire to the clinic in advance; bring it with you. If you have completed this questionnaire for previous visits and nothing has changed in some of the sections, feel free to write “no changes” in those sections.

Also bring your actual medications to the visit. If you prefer, you may review your pill bottles at home and bring a complete list with you.