Turning 65 or new to Medicare?
We welcome new patients with Original Medicare
Starting Medicare is a great time to find a main doctor who gets to know you. Dr. Vanitha Yadalla is a board-certified internal medicine doctor. She and our team in Wall, NJ, in Monmouth County, are taking new patients with Original Medicare.
Dr. Yadalla accepts Medicare "assignment." That means she accepts Medicare's set payment. So your Welcome to Medicare visit and your yearly Wellness visit cost you $0.
Start with our New Patient guide
The two prevention visits Medicare pays for
"Welcome to Medicare" visit
When: once, in your first 12 months with Part B.
Why: to review your health history and teach you about prevention.
What we do:
- Go over your health history and the habits in your life that affect your health
- Tell you about screenings and shots you may need, like flu and pneumonia shots
- Ask about alcohol, tobacco and drug use, and help you get treatment if needed
- Refer you to other care if you need it
- Check your body mass index (BMI), which uses your height and weight
- Do a simple vision test
- Check for signs of depression
- Offer to talk about advance directives (papers that record your wishes for future care, in case you can't speak for yourself)
- Give you a written checklist of the screenings, shots and other prevention you need
Your cost: $0. You don't have to meet your Part B deductible first.
Yearly "Wellness" visit
When: once a year, starting 12 months after your Part B begins (and at least 12 months after your Welcome visit).
Why: to make or update your personal prevention plan and check your health risks.
What we do:
- Ask you to fill out a short health questionnaire
- Check your height, weight and blood pressure
- Go over your health and family history
- Go over your list of medicines
- Do a short memory check for signs of dementia
- Ask about alcohol and drug use, and help you get treatment if needed
- Talk about advance directives
- Give you health advice and update your written checklist
Your cost: $0.
Sources: Medicare.gov, Welcome to Medicare visit and yearly Wellness visits; CMS, Medicare wellness visits.
How are these visits different from an "annual physical"?
Medicare pays for care that finds or treats a health problem. A routine yearly physical, when nothing is wrong, is not covered by Medicare's rules. If you get one, you pay the full cost.
Instead, Medicare pays for the two visits above. They focus on prevention: keeping you healthy and catching problems early. Their goal is a written plan of the screenings, shots and other care you need, and when.
Because these visits are about your prevention plan, they are mostly a conversation. They are not the time to treat a new or ongoing health problem, go over blood work results, or change your medicines. We do those things at a regular follow-up visit. If we handle them on the same day, your usual Medicare costs (like coinsurance and your deductible) may apply.
How we work with our patients
We are a small, independent practice, and we start with your goals.
- We build a plan with you. It fits your life, your budget and what matters most to you. We keep it practical.
- We update it every year. At your Wellness visit, we look at the plan again and change it as your life changes.
- We check in during the year. Your follow-up visits are where we go over blood work and prescriptions, always as part of your plan.
- We adjust any time. If your health or your life changes, we change the plan with you.
This works best when you are a partner in your care: you share your goals, ask questions and stay involved. If that sounds like you, we would love to meet you.
Helping a parent find a doctor?
Many families find us while helping a mom or dad. Here is how you can help:
- Read our New Patient guide together, and help your parent fill out the form.
- Ask us about the form your parent can sign so we can talk with you about their care.
- Come to visits with your parent if they would like you there. Two sets of ears help.
How to become a patient
- Read our New Patient guide. It helps you see if we are a good fit.
- Fill out the New Patient Form on that page.
- Keep your Medicare card close by. Have any other plan cards ready too, like a Medigap or drug plan card.
Questions? Call or text 732-280-2727.
Common questions
Are you taking new Medicare patients?
Yes. We are taking new patients with Original Medicare. Start with our New Patient guide and form.
What is the "Welcome to Medicare" visit?
It is a one-time check-up in your first 12 months with Part B. We go over your health history and the tests and shots you may need. You get a written list of check-ups to plan for. Dr. Yadalla accepts assignment, so it costs you $0.
Is the Wellness visit the same as a physical?
No. Medicare does not pay for a routine physical. The Wellness visit is a conversation to make or update your prevention plan. Blood work results, medicine changes and health problems are handled at a regular follow-up visit, where your usual Medicare costs apply.
Do you take Medicare Advantage plans?
We take most Medicare Advantage plans. If your plan is an HMO, ask your plan to make Dr. Yadalla your main doctor before your first visit. How to check with your plan.
Can I help my parent become a patient?
Yes. Many families do this together. Start with our New Patient guide and form. Ask us about the form your parent can sign so we can talk with you about their care.
Who can help me choose a Medicare plan?
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Or call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). They give free, fair advice.
Need help with your Medicare plan? Call 1-800-MEDICARE or find your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). We also take most Medicare Advantage plans. See the insurance we accept.