Questions & answers · Health insurance
Medicare denied my "Welcome to Medicare" visit and I got a bill. What now?
Health insuranceDeniedChecked Nov 6, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: Medicare.gov · "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit · Description, Costs, How often View original ↗
In short
- Part B covers one «Welcome to Medicare» visit in your first 12 months.
- It costs nothing if your provider accepts assignment.
- Extra tests at the same visit may be billed to you.
What this means
Medicare.gov says Part B covers one "Welcome to Medicare" visit. You get it once, in your first 12 months with Part B [1]. You pay nothing for the visit if your provider accepts assignment [1].
But there can be extra charges. If the provider does other tests at the same visit that Medicare doesn't cover under this benefit, you may owe coinsurance. The Part B deductible may apply too [1]. If Medicare doesn't cover the extras, like a routine physical exam, you may have to pay the full amount [1].
Your next step
Look at your Medicare Summary Notice and the itemized bill. Find which lines are the Welcome visit and which are extra tests. Ask the provider's billing office which is which. The sources give no deadline.
Check it yourself
Your Medicare Summary Notice shows what Medicare paid and what you may owe. The sources do not say how a particular claim was coded — "Don't know yet".
Where this comes from (1)
[1] Medicare.gov · "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit · Description, Costs, How often · checked 2026-11-06
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers one "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit Covered by Part B Preventive Service Once within the first 12 months you have Part B … You pay nothing for the visit if your provider accepts assignment . The Part B deductible doesn't apply. However, you may have to pay coinsurance , and the Part B deductible may apply if your provider performs additional tests or services during t…
How we found this
We matched your question to 1 official source, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-06.
What we don’t know yet
Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.
Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.
Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.
This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.
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Answer id CQ4602. Spotted an error? Tell us.