At Amherst Medical Associates, we’re committed to taking care of you and your family. Learn about our safe care commitment. Virtual and in-person visits are available.

Overview

Convenient, caring and complete: Amherst Medical Associates gives you all three, close to home. Our primary care practice is a favorite in the Amherst area because families know they’ll be treated with warmth and respect. Visits are comfortable, relaxed engagements with friendly providers who are invested in your well-being and want you to feel better.

Our doctors bring a depth of experience and an awareness of new trends in medicine, including alternative approaches. They’re supported by a team of receptionists, nurses and medical assistants that make sure you’re seen quickly and that your issues are addressed thoroughly.

If you need specialized care…

When your situation requires it, we’ll connect you with a specialist within our system — or elsewhere if appropriate. Our physicians regularly collaborate with colleagues when treatment is required beyond the scope of the medical practice, so you can count on continued and complete care.

Preventive Health Exam Billing at Partners HealthCare

What is a Preventive Health Exam and is it Covered by My Insurance?

A preventive health exam is an Annual Physical during which your primary care provider will:

• Ask you questions about your health
• Do a physical examination
• Give you advice about how to prevent health problems
• Take care of minor health problems or a chronic illness that has not changed

Commercial Health Plans

Under the Affordable Care Act, commercial health plans are required to cover an annual Preventive Health Exam at no cost to the patient (no co-payment, co-insurance or deductible).

Medicare Advantage

Many Medicare Advantage plans will also pay the full cost of Preventive Health Exams as defined in this guide.

Medicare Part B

Annual Wellness Visit

Medicare Part B covers a different version of an annual visit, called a “Medicare Annual Wellness Visit.”

During your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit your provider will:

• Ask you questions about your health, and family and social history
• Provide advice about how to prevent health problems, including a plan for screening in the future
• Screen you for depression and other mental health or safety concerns

A Medicare Annual Wellness Visit does not include a physical exam. If your provider does perform a physical exam during your visit to assess your health or treat any medical problems, you may be responsible for a co-insurance or a Medicare Part B deductible payment.

“Welcome to Medicare” Visit

During your first 12 months of enrollment in Medicare Part B, a “Welcome to Medicare” visit is covered, which includes a physical examination.

When Would any of These Annual Health Visits Turn into a Sick or Chronic Disease Visit?

Sometimes, your annual Preventive Health Exam, Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, or Welcome to Medicare Visit can turn into a “Sick Visit”.

During your visit, your provider may need to treat a new medical issue or a chronic problem that has changed. If that occurs, this part of the visit is called a Sick Visit and may result in additional services being billed to your insurance.

Most insurance companies will pay for Sick Visit evaluations, tests, and treatments, but your insurance plan may require you to pay a co-payment, deductible, and/or co-insurance payment for the Sick Visit, even when it is done during the same appointment as your Preventive Health Exam, Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, or Welcome to Medicare Visit.

Are Lab Tests for Disease Screening and Immunizations Covered During My Annual Health Visits?

Medicare and many commercial health insurance plans cover certain screening tests (such as cancer and cardiovascular disease screening) and immunizations. Specific coverage depends on your age and health insurance plan. Some tests and immunizations may not be covered at 100% and some may not be covered at all. In those cases you may be responsible for a co-insurance or deductible payment.

When Will I Have to Pay?

We will request your co-payment when you check in for a visit. We will send you a bill if there is any unpaid balance after we receive payment for your visit from your insurance company.

It is important that you understand your health insurance benefits, and we encourage you to contact your health insurance plan if you have any questions about what is included in your Preventive Health Exam, Medicare Annual Wellness Visit or Welcome to Medicare Visit, or about charges for Sick Visits, lab tests, immunizations and other services that are performed during your Preventive Health Exam, Medicare Annual Wellness or Welcome to Medicare Visit.

If Your Insurance Company Does Not Answer all of Your Questions, Please Contact Partners Patient Billing Solutions:

Mailing Address
Patient Billing Solutions
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 410
Somerville, MA 02145–1462

Phone
(617) 726-3884

Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Email
patientbilling@partners.org

Web
www.partners.org/patientbilling 

Updated April 2019