Key Takeaways

• You can turn routine annual visits into anticipated events for your clients by introducing preventive care checklists that highlight their Medicare-covered benefits in a clear, actionable way.

• A well-prepared checklist helps you show value, strengthen client relationships, and encourage healthier outcomes that reinforce your role as a trusted advisor.

Why Preventive Care Checklists Matter

As a licensed agent, your role extends far beyond enrollment. Preventive care checklists allow you to demonstrate ongoing value throughout the year. When your clients understand what screenings, immunizations, and wellness visits are available at no additional cost to them, they feel cared for and supported. This not only improves their health outcomes but also cements your position as a long-term partner in their Medicare journey.

In 2025, clients expect their annual wellness visit to be more than just a quick exam. By equipping them with a structured checklist, you create an experience that feels proactive, personalized, and forward-looking.

Breaking Down the Annual Wellness Visit

Medicare covers an Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) every 12 months. This is not a physical exam but a structured visit designed to develop or update a personalized prevention plan.

A preventive care checklist tied to this visit can include:

• A health risk assessment (completed before or during the visit)

• A review of medical and family history

• Measurements such as height, weight, and blood pressure

• Cognitive function assessments

• Personalized health advice

• A written screening schedule for the next 5 to 10 years

Your role is to remind clients of these components and explain how they set the tone for preventive care throughout the year.

Essential Screenings To Include

You can help clients recognize which preventive services are recommended based on their age, gender, and health status. Organize these into categories for clarity:

Cancer Screenings

• Colorectal cancer screening: typically every 10 years with a colonoscopy, or more frequently with other methods depending on risk.

• Mammograms: every 12 to 24 months for women ages 40 and older.

• Prostate cancer screenings: discussed based on age and individual risk factors.

Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health

• Blood pressure checks at least once a year.

• Cholesterol screenings every 4 to 6 years, or more often if at risk.

• Diabetes screenings every 3 years, annually for higher-risk clients.

Bone and Joint Health

• Bone density testing once every 2 years for women 65 and older, or younger if risk factors exist.

Vision and Hearing

• Annual eye exams for those with diabetes.

• Hearing evaluations if changes are noticed, often part of a referral-based approach.

Immunizations Clients Should Expect

Immunizations are a cornerstone of preventive care. A clear checklist can remind clients to stay on schedule:

• Annual flu vaccine.

• Pneumococcal vaccine, often given once in adulthood with possible boosters.

• Shingles vaccine, typically a 2-dose series for those age 50 and older.

• Tdap booster (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) every 10 years.

By adding these items to your checklist, you reinforce the value of staying ahead of preventable illnesses.

Encouraging Cognitive and Emotional Health Check-Ins

Medicare now places a strong emphasis on mental health. Preventive care checklists should highlight:

• Annual depression screenings.

• Cognitive impairment assessments included in the AWV.

• Counseling referrals when needed.

These steps help reduce the stigma around mental health and encourage clients to treat it as part of their overall wellness.

Lifestyle and Behavior Counseling

A preventive care checklist should not only include medical screenings but also lifestyle counseling opportunities. Under Medicare, clients may qualify for services such as:

• Nutrition therapy for those with certain conditions.

• Obesity counseling, including behavioral therapy visits.

• Smoking cessation programs.

• Alcohol misuse counseling.

These are vital tools to help clients address lifestyle changes in a structured and supported way.

Structuring the Checklist for Clients

The way you present the checklist matters. A long, overwhelming list can intimidate clients. Instead, break it into clear, timed sections:

1. Annual Services – AWV, flu shot, blood pressure check, depression screening.

2. Every 2 Years – Mammogram, bone density test (if applicable).

3. Every 3–5 Years – Diabetes screening, cholesterol panel.

4. Once in a Lifetime or Periodic – Shingles vaccine series, pneumococcal vaccine, colonoscopy.

This helps clients see a rhythm to their care rather than an endless list of requirements.

Adding a Personal Touch

Your role is to turn a checklist into a personalized health roadmap. Encourage clients to:

• Bring a copy of their checklist to the annual visit.

• Mark completed items to feel a sense of progress.

• Write down questions they want to ask their provider.

• Note follow-up dates for future screenings.

By coaching clients to take ownership of their checklist, you help them become active participants in their care.

Using Checklists to Strengthen Relationships

Preventive care checklists give you regular touchpoints with your clients. For example, a mid-year reminder about vaccines or a note about upcoming screenings shows that you are invested in their health beyond enrollment. These gestures reinforce trust and increase retention.

Checklists also provide a natural way to start conversations during plan reviews. Instead of focusing solely on coverage details, you shift the focus to the client’s health goals, making the interaction more meaningful.

Turning Annual Visits Into Anticipated Events

When clients feel prepared for their annual wellness visit, the entire process becomes smoother and more valuable. With a clear checklist, they walk in knowing what to expect, what questions to ask, and what next steps to anticipate. This transforms what used to feel like a routine obligation into an opportunity for empowerment.

How To Keep Clients Engaged Year-Round

Preventive care is not a once-a-year concept. Use your checklist as a communication tool across the calendar:

• Quarterly reminders – Send brief notes about relevant screenings or vaccines due in the next 3 months.

• Educational content – Share information on why a particular preventive service matters.

• Check-in calls – Ask clients if they have completed recommended services and if they have questions.

These ongoing efforts keep you visible and valuable throughout the year.

Moving From Information to Action

The checklist is not just an educational handout; it is a tool for action. Encourage clients to:

• Schedule all preventive services for the year during their AWV.

• Use digital reminders on their phones or calendars.

• Share updates with you so you can support them in meeting their health goals.

When clients see preventive care as a series of manageable steps, they are more likely to follow through consistently.

Building Your Own Checklist Template

You can create a template tailored to your client base. Make sure it includes:

• Services covered annually, every 2 years, every 3–5 years, and once in a lifetime.

• Space for clients to check off completed items.

• A notes section for questions and follow-ups.

• A simple, clear layout that encourages use.

Once created, you can update it yearly to reflect current Medicare coverage and any guideline changes.

Elevating Your Role With Preventive Care

Preventive care checklists allow you to showcase your value beyond plan selection. By guiding clients through what is available and when, you help them experience the healthcare system as less overwhelming and more empowering. This shift not only benefits their health but also positions you as the professional they rely on year after year.

Creating Lasting Impact With Preventive Care Tools

Preventive care is one of the most impactful ways you can connect with your clients. By developing checklists that transform annual visits into something clients anticipate, you ensure they see you as a partner in their long-term health. If you want to build on this approach, we invite you to sign up on BedrockMD. We provide resources, tools, and strategies designed to help professionals like you deliver more value to your clients while streamlining your own workflow.