need to pay a visit

• To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In

pay (someone) a visit

Definition of pay (someone) a visit

Examples of pay (someone) a visit in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pay (someone) a visit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Dictionary Entries Near pay (someone) a visit

pay (someone) a compliment

pay someone no mind

Cite this Entry

“Pay (someone) a visit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pay%20%28someone%29%20a%20visit. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the day.

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More commonly misspelled words, commonly misspelled words, how to use em dashes (—), en dashes (–) , and hyphens (-), absent letters that are heard anyway, how to use accents and diacritical marks, popular in wordplay, the words of the week - apr. 26, 9 superb owl words, 'gaslighting,' 'woke,' 'democracy,' and other top lookups, fan favorites: your most liked words of the day 2023, 10 words for lesser-known games and sports, games & quizzes.

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

Understanding Copays, Coinsurance and Deductibles

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Coinsurance, copays and deductibles are different out-of-pocket costs for health care, and being familiar with these terms can help you better understand your health coverage and costs. Even after you pay monthly premiums for health insurance , out-of-pocket costs can lead to high medical bills if you get sick or injured.

Here's how health insurance costs work.

Defining some health insurance terms

Before understanding how it all works together, let's brush up on some common health insurance terms.

Coinsurance

Coinsurance is a percentage of a medical charge you pay, with the rest paid by your health insurance plan, which typically applies after your deductible has been met. For example, if you have 20% coinsurance, you pay 20% of each medical bill, and your health insurance will cover 80%.

A copay, or copayment , is a predetermined rate you pay for health care services at the time of care. For example, you may have a $25 copay every time you see your primary care physician, a $10 copay for each monthly medication and a $250 copay for an emergency room visit.

The deductible is how much you pay before your health insurance starts to cover a larger portion of your bills. In general, if you have a $1,000 deductible, you must pay $1,000 for your care out of pocket before your insurer starts covering a higher portion of costs. The deductible resets yearly.

The premium is the monthly payment you make to have health insurance.

You pay the premium each month like a gym membership, even if you don't use the coverage. If you don't pay the premium, you may lose your insurance. If you're fortunate enough to have employer-provided insurance, the company typically picks up part of the premium.

Out-of-pocket maximum

The out-of-pocket maximum is the limit of what you'll pay in one year, out of pocket, for your covered health care before your insurance covers 100% of the bill. The maximum out-of-pocket limit for marketplace health plans (those on the Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplace) is $9,450 for an individual and $18,900 for a family in 2024 . (This amount doesn't include what you spend for services your insurance doesn't cover.)

Coinsurance vs. copay

Copays and coinsurance are different ways your health insurance may require you to pay for covered services. Here are the differences:

Copay vs. deductible

Your health plan may have both copays and deductibles, and whether you pay one or the other may depend on the services you receive. For some services, such as a visit to your primary care doctor, you may owe a fixed copay, such as $10 or $20. For other services, such as an MRI, you may have to pay the approved cost of the service up to your deductible.

Your copay may count toward your deductible, but it doesn't always. And you may owe copays for some services after you meet your deductible.

Coinsurance vs. deductible

Deductibles and coinsurance work together, but usually consecutively. As mentioned, the deductible is the amount you pay before your insurance starts covering the cost of your health care. Once you meet your deductible, you'll typically owe coinsurance (such as 20% of approved charges) on all additional services for the rest of the year.

You'll pay coinsurance on approved medical care until you hit the out-of-pocket maximum on your plan, after which your insurance will cover 100% of the rest of your care for the year.

How it all works together

Health insurance policies can have a variety of cost-sharing options. For example, some policies have low premiums, high deductibles and high maximum out-of-pocket limits, while others have high premiums, lower deductibles and lower max out-of-pocket limits.

In general, it works like this: You pay a monthly premium to have health insurance. Then, when you go to the doctor or the hospital, you pay either full cost for the services or copays as outlined in your policy. Once the total amount you pay for services, not including copays, adds up to your deductible amount in a year, your insurer starts paying a more significant chunk of your medical bills, commonly 80%. The remaining percentage that you pay is called coinsurance.

You'll continue to pay copays or coinsurance until you've reached the out-of-pocket maximum for your policy. At that time, your insurer will start paying 100% of your medical bills until the policy year ends or you switch insurance plans.

The catch: Your health plan's network

Here's the snag: The co-sharing scenario highlighted above works only if you choose doctors, clinics and hospitals within your health plan's provider network. If you use an out-of-network doctor, you could be on the hook for the whole bill, depending on which type of policy you have. This brings us to two related terms:

This is the group of doctors and providers who agree to accept your health insurance. Health insurers negotiate lower rates for care with the doctors, hospitals and clinics in their networks. So when you go in-network, your bills will typically be cheaper, and the costs will count toward your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.

Out of network

A provider your insurance plan hasn't negotiated a discounted rate with is considered out of network. If you get care from an out-of-network provider, you may have to pay the entire bill yourself, or just a portion, as indicated in your insurance policy summary.

» MORE: What the No Surprises Act means for your medical bills

Doing the math on copays, coinsurance and deductibles

To illustrate with an example, consider a person — let's call her Prudence — who needs some health services. (Your costs would be different based on your policy, so you'll want to do your own calculations.)

Prudence's policy:

Insurance coverage: Single.

Annual deductible: $1,200.

Copays: $20 per office visit, $50 per specialist, $100 per ER visit; these don't count toward her deductible.

Coinsurance: 20% after she meets her deductible.

Scenario: Doctor visits and an MRI

Prudence goes in for an annual checkup. Because she goes to an in-network provider, this is a free preventive care visit. (If it had been an office visit for a medical issue, there would have been a $20 copay.) However, her primary care physician thinks Prudence should see an orthopedist based on her physical exam. The orthopedist later recommends an MRI.

Copays for an in-network specialist on her plan are $50. The MRI provider is in her insurer's network, and the approved insurance charge is $1,000 for the MRI, including the radiologist fees for interpreting the scan.

Imaging scans like this are "subject to deductible" under Prudence's policy, so she must pay for it herself, or out of pocket, because she hasn't met her deductible yet.

Total out-of-pocket costs: $50 for the specialist copay + $1,000 for the scan = $1,050.

Scenario: Trip to the ER

Later that year, Prudence falls while hiking and hurts her wrist. She heads to an in-network emergency room, for which she has a $100 copay. After the copay, ER charges are $3,400. Her deductible will be applied next.

Prudence has already paid $1,000 of her $1,200 deductible for her MRI, so she's responsible for $200 of the ER bill before her insurer pays a larger share. Of the remaining $3,200, her health plan will pay 80%, leaving Prudence with a 20% coinsurance of $640.

Total out-of-pocket costs: $100 for the ER copay + $200 for remaining deductible + 20% coinsurance ($640) = $940.

Prudence has now paid $1,990 toward her medical costs this year, not including premiums. She has also met her annual deductible, so if she needs care again, she'll pay only copays and 20% of her medical bills (coinsurance) until she reaches the out-of-pocket maximum on her plan.

Understanding how your health insurance works can save you money and grief now and down the road.

On a similar note...

• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Meaning of pay a visit in English

Pay a visit, pay someone a visit | american dictionary, pay someone a visit.

Word of the Day

under lock and key

locked away safely

Dead ringers and peas in pods (Talking about similarities, Part 2)

Learn more with +Plus

• Recent and Recommended {{#preferredDictionaries}} {{name}} {{/preferredDictionaries}}
• Definitions Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English English Learner’s Dictionary Essential British English Essential American English
• Grammar and thesaurus Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English Grammar Thesaurus
• Pronunciation British and American pronunciations with audio English Pronunciation
• English–Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Simplified)–English
• English–Chinese (Traditional) Chinese (Traditional)–English
• English–Dutch Dutch–English
• English–French French–English
• English–German German–English
• English–Indonesian Indonesian–English
• English–Italian Italian–English
• English–Japanese Japanese–English
• English–Norwegian Norwegian–English
• English–Polish Polish–English
• English–Portuguese Portuguese–English
• English–Spanish Spanish–English
• English–Swedish Swedish–English
• Dictionary +Plus Word Lists
• English    Phrase
• American    Idiom
• All translations

Add pay a visit to one of your lists below, or create a new one.

{{message}}

Something went wrong.

There was a problem sending your report.

Plan Your Visit

• Read our visitor guidelines
• Admissions policy (10 languages)

Gallery Closures

The Ancient Near Eastern and Cypriot Art  galleries and The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing  are closed for renovation. The Temple of Dendur will be closed Monday, April 29 through Friday, May 10. See a list of currently closed galleries .

Suggested Admission

New York State residents and New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut students: the amount you pay for admission is up to you, but you must pay something ($00.01 minimum per ticket).

To buy pay-what-you-wish tickets online, you must have a New York State billing address. New Jersey and Connecticut students can only buy pay-what-you-wish tickets in person with valid student ID. Accepted forms of residency verification include New York State driver’s license, New York State identification card, IDNYC, current bill or statement with a New York State address, student ID, and New York library card.

General Admission

Buy tickets   Become a member

Complimentary admission eligibility and passes

Locations and Hours

The Met Fifth Avenue

The Met Cloisters

Review our visitor guidelines to get the most out of your Met experience.

Plan your route to the Museum.

Use The Met's interactive map to get around the Museum.

We welcome all visitors and affirm our commitment to offering programs and services that are accessible to everyone.

Where to eat and drink when you visit.

Enjoy free admission, complimentary guest tickets, invitations to exclusive viewing hours, discounts, and more.

Now On View

The Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism

Hidden Faces: Covered Portraits of the Renaissance

Indian Skies: The Howard Hodgkin Collection of Indian Court Painting

Weaving Abstraction in Ancient and Modern Art

Lineages: Korean Art at The Met

The Facade Commission: Nairy Baghramian, Scratching the Back

Before Yesterday We Could Fly: An Afrofuturist Period Room

Grounded in Clay: The Spirit of Pueblo Pottery

The African Origin of Civilization

Cycladic Art

Look Again: European Paintings 1300–1800

The Art of the Literary Poster: Works from the Leonard A. Lauder Collection

Vision and Verse: The Poetry of Chinese Painting

Anxiety and Hope in Japanese Art

The Real Thing: Unpackaging Product Photography

Don't Forget to Call Your Mother

Art of Native America: The Charles and Valerie Diker Collection

Bélizaire and the Frey Children

The Calculated Curve: Eighteenth-Century American Furniture

Samurai Splendor: Sword Fittings from Edo Japan

Emulating Books: Book Objects from the Lynn and Bruce Heckman Gift

New York Art Worlds, 1870–1890

Ganesha: Lord of New Beginnings

A Passion for Jade: The Bishop Collection

Embracing Color: Enamel in Chinese Decorative Arts, 1300–1900

Afterlives: Contemporary Art in the Byzantine Crypt

The Jousting Armor of Philip I of Castile

Layered Narratives: The Northern Renaissance Gallery

Renaissance Masterpieces of Judaica: The Mishneh Torah and The Rothschild Mahzor

Celebrating the Year of the Dragon

More ways to explore.

Audio Guide

Stream Audio Guide content for thousands of artworks in the galleries and for select current exhibitions.

The Met Fifth Avenue Digital Guide

Enhance your visit using our new digital guide, available for free on the Bloomberg Connects app.

An Hour at The Met

Explore some of The Met’s collection highlights in this one hour tour.

Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents, tourism & visit.

Study & Exchange

Other Visa Categories

U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

Share this page:

Visitor Visa

Visa Waiver Program

Travel Without a Visa

Citizens of Canada and Bermuda

Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for a temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons who want to enter the United States temporarily for business (visa category B-1), for tourism (visa category B-2), or for a combination of both purposes (B-1/B-2).

Here are some examples of activities permitted with a visitor visa:

Business (B-1)

• Consult with business associates
• Attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference
• Settle an estate
• Negotiate a contract

Tourism (B-2)

• Vacation (holiday)
• Visit with friends or relatives
• Medical treatment
• Participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations
• Participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating
• Enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation)

Travel Purposes Not Permitted On Visitor Visas

These are some examples of activities that require different categories of visas and cannot be done while on a visitor visa:

• Paid performances, or any professional performance before a paying audience
• Arrival as a crewmember on a ship or aircraft
• Work as foreign press, in radio, film, print journalism, or other information media
• Permanent residence in the United States

Visitor visas will also not be issued for birth tourism (travel for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States to obtain U.S. citizenship for their child).

How to Apply

There are several steps to apply for a visa. The order of these steps and how you complete them may vary by U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Please consult the instructions on the  U.S. Embassy or Consulate website .

Complete the Online Visa Application

• Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 – Learn more about completing the DS-160 . You must: 1) complete the online visa application and 2) print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
• Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your photo must be in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements .

Schedule an Interview

Interviews are generally required for visa applicants with certain limited exceptions below. Consular officers may require an interview of any visa applicant.

You should schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the  U.S. Embassy or Consulate  in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but be aware that it may be more difficult to qualify for a visa outside of the country where you live. 

Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so you should apply for your visa early. Review the interview wait time for the location where you will apply: 

Appointment Wait Time

Check the estimated wait time for a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Note: Please check the individual Embassy or Consulate website to determine if your case is eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview.

Applicants scheduling visa appointments in a location different from their place of residence should check post websites for nonresident wait times.

Select a U.S. Embassy or Consulate:

Prepare for your interview.

• Fees - Pay the non-refundable visa application fee , if you are required to pay it before your interview. If your visa is approved, you may also need to pay a visa issuance fee, if applicable to your nationality. Fee information is provided below:

Select your nationality to see Issuance Fee

• Review the instructions available on the website of the  U.S. Embassy or Consulate  where you will apply to learn more about fee payment.

Gather Required Documentation

Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview:

• Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements ). Each individual who needs a visa must submit a separate application, including any family members listed in your passport.
• Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page.
• Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview.
• Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements .

Additional Documentation May Be Required

Review the instructions for how to apply for a visa on the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will apply. Additional documents may be requested to establish if you are qualified. For example, additional requested documents may include evidence of:

• The purpose of your trip,
• Your intent to depart the United States after your trip, and/or
• Your ability to pay all costs of the trip.   

Evidence of your employment and/or your family ties may be sufficient to show the purpose of your trip and your intent to return to your home country. If you cannot cover all the costs for your trip, you may show evidence that another person will cover some or all costs for your trip.

Note:  Visa applicants must qualify on the basis of the applicant's residence and ties abroad, rather than assurances from U.S. family and friends. A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed to apply for a visitor visa. If you choose to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your interview, please remember it is not one of the factors used in determining whether to issue or deny the visa.

Attend Your Visa Interview

A consular officer will interview you to determine whether you are qualified to receive a visitor visa. You must establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive a visa.   Ink-free, digital fingerprint scans are taken as part of the application process. They are usually taken during your interview, but this varies based on location.

After your visa interview, the consular officer may determine that your application requires further  administrative processing .  The consular officer will inform you if this required.

After the visa is approved, you may need to pay a visa issuance fee (if applicable to your nationality), and make arrangements for the return of the passport and visa to you.  Review the  visa processing times  to learn more.

Entering the United States

A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (generally an airport) and request permission to enter the United States. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port-of-entry have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States. If you are allowed to enter the United States, the CBP official will provide an admission stamp or a paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record. Learn more about admissions and entry requirements, restrictions about bringing food, agricultural products, and other restricted/prohibited goods, and more by reviewing the CBP website .

Extending Your Stay

See  Extend Your Stay  on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website to learn about requesting to extend your stay beyond the date indicated on your admission stamp or paper Form I-94. 

Failure to depart the United States on time will result in being  out of status . Under U.S. law, visas of individuals who are out of status are automatically voided ( Section 222(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ).  Any multiple entry visa that was voided due to being out of status will not be valid for future entries into the United States. 

Failure to depart the United States on time may also result in you being ineligible for visas in the future. Review  Visa Denials  and  Ineligibilities and Waivers: Laws  to learn more.

Change of Status

If your plans change while in the United States (for example, you marry a U.S. citizen or receive an offer of employment), you may be able to request a change in your nonimmigrant status to another category through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). See  Change My Nonimmigrant Status  on the USCIS website to learn more.

While you are in the United States, receiving a change of status from USCIS does not require you to apply for a new visa.  However, once you depart the United States you must apply for a new visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the appropriate category for your travel.

Additional Information

• An individual on a visitor visa (B1/B2) is not permitted to accept employment or work in the United States.
• There is no guarantee you will be issued a visa. Do not make final travel plans or buy tickets until you have a visa.
• A valid U.S. visa in an expired passport is still valid. Unless canceled or revoked, a visa is valid until its expiration date. If you have a valid visa in your expired passport, do not remove it from your expired passport. You may use your valid visa in your expired passport along with a new valid passport for travel and admission to the United States. 

Travel for Medical Treatment

If you are seeking medical treatment in the United States, the consular officer may ask for further documents at your visa interview, which may include:

• Medical diagnosis from a local physician, explaining the nature of the ailment and the reason you need treatment in the United States.
• Letter from a physician or medical facility in the United States, stating they are willing to treat your specific ailment and detailing the projected length and cost of treatment (including doctors’ fees, hospitalization fees, and all medical-related expenses).
• Proof that your transportation, medical, and living expenses in the United States will be paid. This may be in the form of bank or other statements of income/savings or certified copies of income tax returns (either yours or the person or organization paying for your treatment).

Visitor Visas for Personal or Domestic Employees (B-1)

You may apply for a B-1 visitor visa to work in the United States as a personal or domestic employee for your employer in limited situations. You may work in the United States on a visitor visa if your employer is:

• A U.S. citizen who has a permanent home or is stationed in a foreign country, but is visiting or is assigned to the United States temporarily; or
• A foreign citizen who is in the United States on one of the following nonimmigrant visa categories:  B, E, F, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, or Q.

Learn more about your rights in the United States and protection available to you by reading the Legal Rights and Protections pamphlet.

Visa Renewal

Whether you are applying for the first time or renewing your visa, you will use the same application process (please review How to Apply , above). Some applicants seeking to renew their visas in certain visa classes may be eligible for the Interview Waiver (IW) which allows qualified individuals to apply for visa renewals without being interviewed in person by a U.S. consular officer. Review the instructions on the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will apply to determine if the IW is available and if you qualify.

Do I need a visa if I have an ABTC?

Yes, you will still need a visa to travel to the United States, unless you qualify for the  Visa Waiver Program . Having an Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travelers Card (ABTC) does not change visa requirements, your visa status, or the visa process for travel to the United States.

How can I use my ABTC when I apply for my visa?

If you have an Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travelers Card (ABTC),  you might be able to schedule an expedited visa interview appointment. Review the instructions for scheduling expedited appointments on the website of the  embassy or consulate  where you will apply. 

Visa Annotations for Certain Maritime Industry Workers

Certain foreign maritime workers are eligible to apply for a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) once in the U.S. If you, as a maritime industry worker, will perform services in secure port areas, your visa must be annotated “TWIC Letter Received.” Workers whose visas are not annotated will not be permitted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to apply for a TWIC.

In order for your visa to be annotated, you must obtain a letter from your employer explaining the need for a TWIC and that you are a potential TWIC applicant. See a template example of this letter. You must present this letter when you apply for the B-1 visa. You must meet all other eligibility requirements for a B-1 visa. 

Complete information about the TWIC program is available on TSA’s website at  https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic .

Visa Denial and Ineligibility

Review  Visa Denials  for detailed information about visa ineligibilities, denials and waivers.

I was refused a visa, under Section 214(b). May I reapply?

Yes, if you feel circumstances have changed regarding your application. Review  Visa Denials  to learn more.

Misrepresentation or Fraud

Attempting to obtain a visa by the willful misrepresentation of a material fact, or fraud, may result in the permanent refusal of a visa or denial of entry into the United States.

Review  Ineligibilities and Waivers: Laws .

Citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not require visas to enter the United States, for visit, tourism and temporary business travel purposes. For more information see  U.S. Embassy Ottawa website ,  U.S. Consulate Hamilton website  and  CBP website .

Additional resources for Canadian visitors to the United States can be found on the U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites in Canada.

Citizens of China

In accordance with the agreement signed between the United States and China to extend visa validity, beginning on November 29, 2016, Chinese citizens with 10-year B1, B2 or B1/B2 visas in Peoples’ Republic of China passports will be required to update their biographical and other information from their visa application via a website every two years, or upon getting a new passport or B1, B2, or B1/B2 visa, whichever occurs first.  This mechanism is called EVUS - Electronic Visa Update System.

The EVUS website is now open to the public for enrollments at www.EVUS.gov .  CBP will not collect a fee for EVUS enrollment at this time. CBP anticipates the eventual implementation of an EVUS enrollment fee, but does not have a time frame. Until the implementation of a fee, travelers can enroll in EVUS without charge.  The Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will keep visa holders informed of new information throughout the year. For further information, please visit  www.cbp.gov/EVUS .‎

根据美中双方签署的延长签证有效期的协议，自2016年11月29日起，凡持有10 年 期B1，B2 或 B1/B2签证的中华人民共和国护照持有人需要每两年或在获取新护照或最长有效期的B1、B2或B1/B2签证时时（以先到者为准），通过网站更新他们签证申请上的个人资料及其它信息。这个机制我们称之为EVUS –签证更新电子系统。

EVUS的登记网站 www.EVUS.gov 现已开放接受登记。美国海关和边境保护局（CBP）目前不会收取登记费用。美国海关和边境保护局预期EVUS登记收费最终会实施，但目前尚未落实执行时间。在收费实施前，旅客可以免费完成EVUS登记。美国国土安全部海关和边境保护局将在今年及时向签证持有人公布最新的信息。获取更多的信息，请访问 www.cbp.gov/EVUS 。

Citizens of Mexico

Citizens and permanent residents of Mexico generally must have a nonimmigrant visa or Border Crossing Card (also known as a "Laser Visa"). For ease of travel, the B-1/B-2 and the Border Crossing Card have been combined into one document (DSP-150). Select  Border Crossing Card  to learn more about this card.

Please visit  U.S. Embassy or Consulate  websites for more information regarding applying for a visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulates in Mexico.

Further Questions

• Case-Specific Questions - Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate handling your visa application for status information. Select  U.S. Embassy or Consulate  for contact information.
• General Questions - review  Contact Us .

Visa Waiver Program  (VWP)

Tourist or business travelers who are citizens of participating countries may be eligible to visit the United States without a visa. Visits must be 90 days or less, and travelers must meet all requirements.

Citizens of Canada and Bermuda generally do not need visas for tourism and visits.

More Information

A-Z Index Legal Rights & Protections Lost/Stolen Travel Documents Denials Fraud Warning Visa Expiration Date Automatic Revalidation Nonimmigrants in the United States–Applying for Visas in Canada or Mexico Visa Applicants - State Sponsors of Terrorism Border Security/Safety Find a U.S. Embassy or Consulate Customer Service Statement

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

Prepare for your visit — Billing and insurance matters

• Make sure your insurance is contracted with Mayo Clinic . Click on the "Contracted insurance plans" link for a list of contracted plans. Contact your insurance company with questions.
• Arizona campus: 833-843-5315 (toll-free)
• Florida campus: 877-956-1820 (toll-free)
• Rochester, Minnesota campus: 833-479-5483 (toll-free)
• Make sure Mayo Clinic is in-network for your plan. Mayo Clinic does see patients with out-of-network plans, but there may be a larger out-of-pocket expense. Contact your insurance company for your benefit coverage.
• Talk to your doctor. Talk with your doctor about referring you to Mayo Clinic if a referral is required by your insurance company.
• Obtain approval from your insurance company . Check with your insurance company for coverage and any pre-authorization requirements for the care you're seeking.
• Arizona campus: 86-0800150
• Florida campus: 59-3337028
• Rochester, Minnesota, campus: 41-6011702
• Arizona campus: 480-342-5700
• Florida campus: 904-956-2050
• Rochester campus: 833-479-5484 (toll-free)
• Make sure you have the financial means to cover your visit. For example, you may need to pay for unmet deductibles, copayments, unmet out-of-pocket expenses, self-pay deposits, transportation, meals and lodging. If you have questions about financial assistance, please review this information about financial assistance .

Your Mayo Clinic number

The first time you make an appointment at Mayo Clinic, you'll be assigned a Mayo Clinic number.

• Your Mayo Clinic number is your personal identification number for all care.
• It is unique, will not change for future visits and will also serve as your billing account number.

To set up your Mayo Clinic number, please have this information ready:

• An active email address
• Mailing address and phone numbers
• Emergency contact information
• Government-issued photo ID
• Pharmacy card, if applicable
• Insurance card(s) for the new patient or for new coverage
• Your Medicare Beneficiary Identifier number for Medicare or Medicare Advantage Plans
• Name and birth date of the insurance subscriber
• Written authorization from your HMO or PPO, if applicable

Once you've been issued a Mayo Clinic number and scheduled an appointment, you may be transferred to the registration department or be asked to complete registration via Mayo Clinic patient online services . Alternatively, you may be contacted over the phone to complete the registration or registration forms may be mailed to you for completion. In rare cases, a patient could be registered on the day of the appointment.

When your information changes

We ask that you notify registration staff of any demographic or insurance changes prior to services, which you can do using Mayo Clinic patient online services . Online services users may be sent a message to update their registration information via secure messaging. You may also call Mayo Clinic to update your demographic and insurance information at the following phone numbers:

• Arizona campus: 855-275-1314 (toll-free)
• Florida campus: 855-275-1311 (toll-free)

Per federal and state law requirements, Mayo Clinic also obtains the Mayo Clinic Authorizations and Service Terms signature form. Additionally, you may be asked to update a Patient Information and Mayo Clinic Authorizations and Service Terms form, even with a current signature on file.

Registration desks

If you do need to update information at the time of your visit, registration desks are located at all three campuses.

• First floor of the Mayo Clinic Specialty Building in Phoenix
• Concourse level of the Mayo Clinic Building in Scottsdale
• Lobby of Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix
• Lobbies of the Davis and Cannaday buildings
• Lobby of Mayo Clinic Hospital
• Lobby level of the Gonda Building
• Lobby of the Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus, Mary Brigh Building
• Lobby of the Mayo Clinic Hospital, Methodist Campus, Eisenberg Building

At the time of your appointment check-in, you may be asked to provide your insurance card(s) and government photo identification, if not previously provided.

• March 19, 2024
• ART-20203443

Make twice the impact

Your gift can go twice as far to advance cancer research and care!

• Skip to global NPS navigation
• Skip to this park navigation
• Skip to the main content
• Skip to this park information section
• Skip to the footer section

Exiting nps.gov

Alerts in effect, fees & passes.

Last updated: January 10, 2024

Park footer

Contact info, mailing address:.

PO Box 129 Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

928-638-7888

Stay Connected

Policygenius does not allow the submission of personal information by users located within the EU or the UK. If you believe this action is in error, or have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Doctor Visits

Get Your Medicare Wellness Visit Every Year

Take Action

If you have Medicare, be sure to schedule a yearly wellness visit with your doctor or nurse. A yearly wellness visit is a great way to help you stay healthy.

What happens during a yearly wellness visit?

First, the doctor or nurse will ask you to fill out a questionnaire called a health risk assessment. Answering these questions will help you get the most from your yearly wellness visit.

During your visit, the doctor or nurse will:

• Go over your health risk assessment with you
• Measure your height and weight and check your blood pressure
• Ask about your health history and conditions that run in your family 
• Ask about other doctors you see and any medicines you take
• Give advice to help you prevent disease, improve your health, and stay well
• Look for any changes in your ability to think, learn, or remember
• Ask about any risk factors for substance use disorder and talk with you about treatment options, if needed

If you take opioids to treat pain, the doctor or nurse may talk with you about your risk factors for opioid use disorder, review your treatment plan, and tell you about non-opioid treatment options. They may also refer you to a specialist. 

Finally, the doctor or nurse may give you a short, written plan to take home. This plan will include any screening tests and other preventive services that you’ll need in the next several years. Preventive services are health care services that keep you from getting sick. 

Learn more about yearly wellness visits .

Plan Your Visit

When can i go for a yearly wellness visit.

You can start getting Medicare wellness visits after you’ve had Medicare Part B for at least 12 months. Keep in mind you’ll need to wait 12 months in between Medicare wellness visits.

Do I need to have a “Welcome to Medicare” visit first?

You don’t need to have a “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit before getting a yearly wellness visit.

If you choose to get the “Welcome to Medicare” visit during the first 12 months you have Medicare Part B, you’ll have to wait 12 months before you can get your first yearly wellness visit. 

Learn more about the “Welcome to Medicare” visit .

What about cost?

With Medicare Part B, you can get a wellness visit once a year at no cost to you. Check to make sure the doctor or nurse accepts Medicare when you schedule your appointment.

If you get any tests or services that aren’t included in the yearly wellness visit (like an extra blood test), you may have to pay some of those costs.

Who Can Get Medicare?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program. You may be able to get Medicare if you:

• Are age 65 or older
• Are under age 65 and have a disability
• Have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig's disease
• Have permanent kidney failure (called end-stage renal disease)

You must be living in the United States legally for at least 5 years to qualify for Medicare.  Answer these questions to find out when you can sign up for Medicare .

Make an Appointment

Take these steps to help you get the most out of your Medicare yearly wellness visit.

Schedule your Medicare yearly wellness visit.

Call your doctor’s office and ask to schedule your Medicare yearly wellness visit. Make sure it’s been at least 12 months since your last wellness visit.

If you're looking for a new doctor,  check out these tips on choosing a doctor you can trust .  

To find a doctor who accepts Medicare:

• Search for a doctor on the Medicare website
• Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
• If you use a TTY, call Medicare at 1-877-486-2048

Gather important information.

Take any medical records or information you have to the appointment. Make sure you have important information like:

• The name and phone number of a friend or relative to call if there’s an emergency
• Dates and results of checkups and screening tests
• A list of vaccines (shots) you’ve gotten and the dates you got them
• Medicines you take (including over-the-counter medicines and vitamins), how much you take, and why you take them
• Phone numbers and addresses of other places you go to for health care, including your pharmacy

Make a list of any important changes in your life or health.

Your doctor or nurse will want to know about any big changes since your last visit. For example, write down things like:

• Losing your job
• A death in the family
• A serious illness or injury
• A change in your living situation

Know your family health history.

Your family's health history is an important part of your personal health record.  Use this family health history tool  to keep track of conditions that run in your family. Take this information to your yearly wellness visit.

Ask Questions

Make a list of questions you want to ask the doctor..

This visit is a great time to ask the doctor or nurse any questions about:

• A health condition
• Changes in sleeping or eating habits
• Pain or discomfort
• Prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, or supplements

Some important questions include:

• Do I need to get any vaccines to protect my health?
• How can I get more physical activity?
• Am I at a healthy weight?
• Do I need to make any changes to my eating habits?

Use this question builder tool  to make a list of things to ask your doctor or nurse.

It can be helpful to write down the answers so you remember them later. You may also want to take a friend or relative with you for support — they can take notes, too.

What to Expect

Know what to expect at your visit..

The doctor or nurse will ask you questions about your health and safety, like:

• Do you have stairs in your home?
• What do you do to stay active?
• Have you lost interest in doing things you usually enjoy?
• Do you have a hard time hearing people on the phone?
• What medicines, vitamins, or supplements do you take regularly?

The doctor or nurse will also do things like:

• Measure your height and weight
• Check your blood pressure
• Ask about your medical and family history

Make a wellness plan with your doctor.

During the yearly wellness visit, the doctor or nurse may give you a short, written plan — like a checklist — to take home with you. This written plan will include a list of preventive services that you’ll need over the next 5 to 10 years.

Your plan may include:

• Getting important screenings for cancer or other diseases
• Making healthy changes, like getting more physical activity

Follow up after your visit.

During your yearly wellness visit, the doctor or nurse may recommend that you see a specialist or get certain tests. Try to schedule these follow-up appointments before you leave your wellness visit.

If that’s not possible, put a reminder note on your calendar to schedule your follow-up appointments.

Add any new health information to your personal health documents.

Make your next wellness visit easier by updating your medical information in the personal health documents you keep at home. Write down any vaccines you got and the results of any screening tests.

Medicare offers an online tool called  MyMedicare  to help you track your personal health information and Medicare claims. If you have your Medicare number, you can  sign up for your MyMedicare account now .

Healthy Habits

Take care of yourself all year long..

After your visit, follow the plan you made with your doctor or nurse to stay healthy. Your plan may include:

• Getting important screenings
• Getting vaccines for older adults
• Keeping your heart healthy
• Preventing type 2 diabetes
• Lowering your risk of falling

Your plan could also include:

• Getting active
• Eating healthy
• Quitting smoking
• Watching your weight

Content last updated February 9, 2023

Reviewer Information

This information on Medicare wellness visits was adapted from materials from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Reviewed by: Rachel Katonak Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Division of Policy and Evidence Review Coverage and Analysis Group

November 2022

You may also be interested in:

Stay Active as You Get Older: Quick Tips

Get Vaccines to Protect Your Health (Adults Age 50 Years or Older)

Get Screened

The office of disease prevention and health promotion (odphp) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website..

Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by ODPHP or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.

You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.

• Application Form
• Formulario Online

Mexico’s Visitor Tax: A Comprehensive Guide for Travelers

Welcome to Visitax Gob Mx, your number one source for information about Mexico’s visitor tax . As a tourist visiting Mexico, you may be required to pay an additional tax that goes towards the development of local infrastructure and services. Our team is dedicated to providing you with all the necessary information and guidance to make sure you comply with this regulation. Stay tuned for more updates and insights on Mexico’s visitor tax!

Are you planning to visit Mexico soon? If so, it is important to know about the Mexico Visitor Tax or Visitax tourist tax . This tax is levied on all tourists entering Mexico and covers various services provided to visitors during their stay in the country such as tourist infrastructure, public services, and cultural promotion. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about the Mexico Visitor Tax.

What is the Mexico Visitor Tax?

Mexico Visitor Tax, also known as Visitax Tourist Tax Cancun , is a tax levied by the Mexican government on all tourists who enter the country by air or sea. This tax is included in the ticket price of your airline or cruise and is paid by your travel operator. The tax is calculated based on the length of your stay in Mexico and the destination you are visiting.

How much is the Mexico Visitor Tax?

The Visitax Gob Mx tax rate varies depending on the destination and length of stay. For example, if you are staying in Cancun for less than 24 hours, then you do not have to pay the tax. However, for stays longer than 24 hours, the tax is $32.00 USD per person. This tax must be paid at the airport upon arrival in Mexico or through your travel operator.

How is the Mexico Visitor Tax used?

The funds raised from the Mexico Visitor Tax are used to improve the tourist infrastructure, public services, and cultural promotion in Mexico. These funds are also used to maintain the natural beauty of Mexico’s many beaches, parks, and other tourist attractions.

Why is the Mexico Visitor Tax important?

The Mexico Visitor Tax helps to ensure that tourists have a safe and enjoyable stay in Mexico. The funds raised from this tax are used to provide better infrastructure, public services, and cultural promotion, which make for a more hospitable and welcoming environment for tourists.

In conclusion, if you are planning your next vacation to Mexico, it is important to know about the Mexico Visitor Tax. This tax is a small contribution that goes a long way in maintaining and improving the tourist infrastructure, public services, and cultural promotion in Mexico. So, the next time you visit Mexico, make sure you budget for this important tax.

Understanding Mexico Visitor Tax: A Guide to Visitax Tourist Tax Cancun

Understanding Mexico Visitor Tax: A Guide to Visitax Tourist Tax Cancun is an informative article that provides detailed information about the Visitax tourist tax in Cancun. The article explains the purpose of the tax, how it works, and who is required to pay it. It also outlines the different ways visitors can pay the tax and what they need to do if they want to claim a refund. The article is an essential read for anyone traveling to Cancun who wants to avoid any confusion or issues related to the Visitax tourist tax. Overall, this guide is a valuable resource for all visitors to Cancun who want to ensure that they are fully prepared for their trip and have a stress-free experience.

Preguntas frecuentes

What is the visitax tourist tax cancun and how does it affect travelers to mexico.

Visitax Tourist Tax Cancun is a new tax implemented by the Mexican government for travelers visiting Cancun and other tourist destinations in the Quintana Roo region. The tax was introduced on April 1, 2021, and applies to both foreign and domestic visitors aged 15 and over.

The tax amount is (approximately $39 USD) per person and can be paid online or at kiosks located at airports, hotels, bus stations, and other tourist spots. Travelers can also pay the tax in advance through the Visitax website.

This tax does not affect travelers who are staying at an all-inclusive resort or those who are only transiting through Cancun’s airport without leaving the transit area.

It’s important for travelers to be aware of this tax and factor it into their travel budget when planning a trip to Cancun or other parts of Quintana Roo. Failure to pay the tax could result in a fine or delay at the airport.

Can the Visitax Tourist Tax Cancun be paid online or must it be paid in person upon arrival?

The Visitax Tourist Tax Cancun can be paid online or in person upon arrival. However, it is recommended to pay the tax online before traveling to Cancun in order to save time and avoid long lines at the airport. The tax can be paid on the Visitax website using a credit card, and a digital receipt will be provided that can be presented at the airport. It’s important to note that the tax is mandatory for all visitors over the age of 18 entering the state of Quintana Roo, which includes popular destinations such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum.

Are there any exemptions or discounts available for certain groups, such as children or senior citizens, when it comes to the Visitax Tourist Tax Cancun?

As of now, there are no exemptions or discounts available for any specific groups when it comes to the Visitax Tourist Tax Cancun. Every person who arrives in Cancun will have to pay the tax regardless of age or other factors. The current rate is $10 USD or its equivalent in pesos per person and must be paid before departure from Cancun.

Will the Visitax Tourist Tax Cancun be applied to all forms of travel to Mexico, including air and sea travel?

Yes , the Visitax Tourist Tax Cancun will be applied to all forms of travel to Mexico, including air and sea travel. It is a tax that applies to all foreign tourists visiting the state of Quintana Roo, which includes Cancun, Cozumel, and other popular destinations in the area. The tax will be collected upon arrival, either by airlines or at immigration checkpoints.

How will the revenue collected from the Visitax Tourist Tax Cancun be used to benefit tourism in Cancun and Mexico as a whole?

The revenue collected from the Visitax Tourist Tax Cancun will be used to benefit tourism in Cancun and Mexico as a whole in several ways. Firstly, it will be used to fund projects aimed at improving the infrastructure and services in tourist areas, such as the construction of new transportation systems and the enhancement of public spaces. Secondly, the revenue will go towards the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage sites, including museums and historical landmarks. Additionally, the funds will be used to support the development of sustainable tourism, which aims to minimize the negative impact of tourism on the environment and local communities. Finally, the revenue collected from Visitax will also contribute to Mexico’s general budget, which can be allocated to a wide range of public services, including education and healthcare, benefiting both tourists and locals alike.

What are the penalties for not paying the Visitax Tourist Tax Cancun, and how can travelers avoid these penalties?

The penalties for not paying the Visitax Tourist Tax Cancun can range from fines to being denied boarding on flights leaving Cancun. Travelers who do not pay the tax could face a fine of up to 3,000 Mexican pesos (about $150 USD) per person, plus interest charges. In addition, airlines may refuse to allow passengers who have not paid the tax to board their flights.

To avoid these penalties, travelers should be sure to pay the Visitax Tourist Tax Cancun before they arrive in Cancun. The easiest way to pay is online through the Visitax website. The tax is currently (about $39 USD) per person and can be paid using a credit or debit card. Once paid, travelers will receive a receipt that they can present at the airport as proof of payment. It’s important to note that the tax only needs to be paid once per visit, regardless of how long you stay in Cancun.

Are there any plans to increase the Visitax Tourist Tax Cancun in the future, and if so, what factors will be considered in determining the new rate?

As of now, there are no published plans to increase the Visitax Tourist Tax Cancun in the near future. However, the government of Quintana Roo, where Cancun is located, has stated that any future increases in the tax rate will be based on factors such as inflation and the need for additional revenue to fund tourism-related infrastructure and services. It’s important to note that the Visitax tourist tax is subject to change at any time by the government, so travelers should always be aware of the current rate when planning their trip to Cancun or other destinations in the area.

In conclusion, the implementation of the Visitax Tourist Tax in Cancun, Mexico has become an important topic for travelers and tourism authorities. As a creator of content , it is essential to inform tourists about this new tax and its impact on their travel budget. Although this tax is a way to generate revenue for local infrastructure and tourism promotion, visitors must be aware of the additional cost and plan their vacations accordingly. Overall, the Visitax Tourist Tax in Cancun serves as a reminder that responsible tourism includes respecting and contributing to the local economy.

Exploring Quintana Roo’s Wonderful Beaches

Discover the Xcaret Arte Cancun Hotel: The Epitome of Art and Luxury in Mexico

MEXICO TOURIST TAX QUINTANA ROO: A Complete Guide for Travelers

How to Easily Pay Visitax Mexico Online – A Comprehensive Guide

Everything You Need to Know About Visitor Tax in Mexico

The Ultimate Guide to Mexico’s Tourist Fee: What You Need to Know

How to Easily Pay Mexico’s Tourist Tax: A Step-by-Step Guide

Everything You Need to Know About Mexico’s Airport Tax

Understanding the Exit Tax for Mexico: What You Need to Know

Everything You Need to Know About the Departure Tax for Mexico

Cancun Departure Tax: Everything You Need to Know

Where is Cancun located in Mexico map?

The Best Way to Get from Cancun Airport to Your Hotel

Can You Go To Cancun Without A Passport?

How Much Does the Average Trip to Cancun Cost?

Exclusive Deals: 1 Week All Inclusive Vacation in Cancun

The Top 10 Cancun Resorts for a Vacation You’ll Never Forget

How many days should I spend in Cancun?

4 Nights All Inclusive Vacation Packages to Cancun Mexico

How Many States Make Up Mexico?

Where to Eat in Cancun: The 20 Best Restaurants

Paradisus Cancun Resort & Spa – All-Inclusive Resort

Cancun vs Playa del Carmen – What’s the Difference?

What Is the Legal Drinking Age in Mexico?

Tourist Tax Cancun   ® | Tourist Tax Mexico ®

Visitax Cancun y Visitax Mexico ® es un sitio web privado desarrollado por Academia Digital ® y no está vinculado o puede estar asociado con ninguna agencia gubernamental ( visitax gob mx ). Visitaxgob.mx ayuda a los viajeros a pagar el impuesto estatal al turismo de Quintana Roo . – Todos Los Derechos Reservados ©2023

Medicare Wellness Visits Back to MLN Print November 2023 Updates

What’s Changed?

• Added information about monthly chronic pain management and treatment services
• Added information about checking for cognitive impairment during annual wellness visits
• Added information about Social Determinants of Health Risk Assessments as an optional element of annual wellness visits

Quick Start

The Annual Wellness Visits video helps you understand these exams, as well as their purpose and claim submission requirements.

Medicare Physical Exam Coverage

Initial Preventive Physical Exam (IPPE)

Review of medical and social health history and preventive services education.

✔ New Medicare patients within 12 months of starting Part B coverage

✔ Patients pay nothing (if provider accepts assignment)

Annual Wellness Visit (AWV)

Visit to develop or update a personalized prevention plan and perform a health risk assessment.

✔ Covered once every 12 months

Routine Physical Exam

Exam performed without relationship to treatment or diagnosis of a specific illness, symptom, complaint, or injury.

✘ Medicare doesn’t cover a routine physical

✘ Patients pay 100% out-of-pocket

Together we can advance health equity and help eliminate health disparities for all minority and underserved groups. Find resources and more from the CMS Office of Minority Health :

• Health Equity Technical Assistance Program
• Disparities Impact Statement

Communication Avoids Confusion

As a health care provider, you may recommend that patients get services more often than we cover or that we don’t cover. If this happens, help patients understand they may have to pay some or all costs. Communication is key to ensuring patients understand why you’re recommending certain services and whether we cover them.

Initial Preventive Physical Exam

The initial preventive physical exam (IPPE), also known as the “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit, promotes good health through disease prevention and detection. We pay for 1 IPPE per lifetime if it’s provided within the first 12 months after the patient’s Part B coverage starts.

1. Review the patient’s medical and social history

At a minimum, collect this information:

• Past medical and surgical history (illnesses, hospital stays, operations, allergies, injuries, and treatments)
• Current medications, supplements, and other substances the person may be using
• Family history (review the patient’s family and medical events, including hereditary conditions that place them at increased risk)
• Physical activities
• Social activities and engagement
• Alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug use history

Learn information about Medicare’s substance use disorder (SUD) services coverage .

2. Review the patient’s potential depression risk factors

Depression risk factors include:

• Current or past experiences with depression
• Other mood disorders

Select from various standardized screening tools designed for this purpose and recognized by national professional medical organizations. APA’s Depression Assessment Instruments has more information.

3. Review the patient’s functional ability and safety level

Use direct patient observation, appropriate screening questions, or standardized questionnaires recognized by national professional medical organizations to review, at a minimum, the patient’s:

• Ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs)
• Hearing impairment
• Home and community safety, including driving when appropriate

Medicare offers cognitive assessment and care plan services for patients who show signs of impairment.

• Height, weight, body mass index (BMI) (or waist circumference, if appropriate), blood pressure, balance, and gait
• Visual acuity screen
• Other factors deemed appropriate based on medical and social history and current clinical standards

5. End-of-life planning, upon patient agreement

End-of-life planning is verbal or written information you (their physician or practitioner) can offer the patient about:

• Their ability to prepare an advance directive in case an injury or illness prevents them from making their own health care decisions
• If you agree to follow their advance directive
• This includes psychiatric advance directives

6. Review current opioid prescriptions

For a patient with a current opioid prescription:

• Review any potential opioid use disorder (OUD) risk factors
• Evaluate their pain severity and current treatment plan
• Provide information about non-opiod treatment options
• Refer to a specialist, as appropriate

The HHS Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force Report has more information. Medicare now covers monthly chronic pain management and treatment services .

7. Screen for potential SUDs

Review the patient’s potential SUD risk factors, and as appropriate, refer them to treatment. You can use a screening tool, but it’s not required. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has screening and assessment tools. Implementing Drug and Alcohol Screening in Primary Care is a helpful resource .

8. Educate, counsel, and refer based on previous components

Based on the results of the review and evaluation services from the previous components, provide the patient with appropriate education, counseling, and referrals.

9. Educate, counsel, and refer for other preventive services

Include a brief written plan, like a checklist, for the patient to get:

• A once-in-a-lifetime screening electrocardiogram (ECG), as appropriate
• Appropriate screenings and other covered preventive services

Use these HCPCS codes to file IPPE and ECG screening claims:

Initial preventive physical examination; face-to-face visit, services limited to new beneficiary during the first 12 months of medicare enrollment

Electrocardiogram, routine ecg with 12 leads; performed as a screening for the initial preventive physical examination with interpretation and report

Electrocardiogram, routine ecg with 12 leads; tracing only, without interpretation and report, performed as a screening for the initial preventive physical examination

Electrocardiogram, routine ecg with 12 leads; interpretation and report only, performed as a screening for the initial preventive physical examination

Federally qualified health center (fqhc) visit, ippe or awv; a fqhc visit that includes an initial preventive physical examination (ippe) or annual wellness visit (awv) and includes a typical bundle of medicare-covered services that would be furnished per diem to a patient receiving an ippe or awv

* Section 60.2 of the Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 9 has more information on how to bill HCPCS code G0468.

Report a diagnosis code when submitting IPPE claims. We don’t require you to use a specific IPPE diagnosis code, so you may choose any diagnosis code consistent with the patient’s exam.

Part B covers an IPPE when performed by a:

• Physician (doctor of medicine or osteopathy)
• Qualified non-physician practitioner (physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or certified clinical nurse specialist)

When you provide an IPPE and a significant, separately identifiable, medically necessary evaluation and management (E/M) service, we may pay for the additional service. Report the additional CPT code (99202–99205, 99211–99215) with modifier 25. That portion of the visit must be medically necessary and reasonable to treat the patient’s illness or injury or to improve the functioning of a malformed body part.

CPT only copyright 2022 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

IPPE Resources

• 42 CFR 410.16
• Section 30.6.1.1 of the Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 12
• Section 80 of the Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 18
• U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations

No. The IPPE isn’t a routine physical that some patients may get periodically from their physician or other qualified non-physician practitioner (NPP). The IPPE is an introduction to Medicare and covered benefits, and it focuses on health promotion, disease prevention, and detection to help patients stay well. We encourage providers to inform patients about the AWV during their IPPE. The Social Security Act explicitly prohibits Medicare coverage of routine physical exams.

No. The IPPE and AWV don’t include clinical lab tests, but you may make appropriate referrals for these tests as part of the IPPE or AWV.

No. We waive the coinsurance, copayment, and Part B deductible for the IPPE (HCPCS code G0402). Neither is waived for the screening electrocardiogram (ECG) (HCPCS codes G0403, G0404, or G0405).

A patient who hasn’t had an IPPE and whose Part B enrollment began in 2023 can get an IPPE in 2024 if it’s within 12 months of the patient’s Part B enrollment effective date.

We suggest providers check with their MAC for available options to verify patient eligibility. If you have questions, find your MAC’s website .

Annual Wellness Visit Health Risk Assessment

The annual wellness visit (AWV) includes a health risk assessment (HRA). View the HRA minimum elements summary below. A Framework for Patient-Centered Health Risk Assessments has more information, including a sample HRA.

Perform an HRA

• You or the patient can update the HRA before or during the AWV
• Consider the best way to communicate with underserved populations, people who speak different languages, people with varying health literacy, and people with disabilities
• Demographic data
• Health status self-assessment
• Psychosocial risks, including, but not limited to, depression, life satisfaction, stress, anger, loneliness or social isolation, pain, suicidality, and fatigue
• Behavioral risks, including, but not limited to, tobacco use, physical activity, nutrition and oral health, alcohol consumption, sexual health, motor vehicle safety (for example, seat belt use), and home safety
• Activities of daily living (ADLs), including dressing, feeding, toileting, and grooming; physical ambulation, including balance or fall risks and bathing; and instrumental ADLs (IADLs), including using the phone, housekeeping, laundry, transportation, shopping, managing medications, and handling finances

1. Establish the patient’s medical and family history

At a minimum, document:

• Medical events of the patient’s parents, siblings, and children, including hereditary conditions that place them at increased risk
• Use of, or exposure to, medications, supplements, and other substances the person may be using

2. Establish a current providers and suppliers list

Include current patient providers and suppliers that regularly provide medical care, including behavioral health care.

• Height, weight, body mass index (BMI) (or waist circumference, if appropriate), and blood pressure
• Other routine measurements deemed appropriate based on medical and family history

4. Detect any cognitive impairments the patient may have

Check for cognitive impairment as part of the first AWV.

Assess cognitive function by direct observation or reported observations from the patient, family, friends, caregivers, and others. Consider using brief cognitive tests, health disparities, chronic conditions, and other factors that contribute to increased cognitive impairment risk. Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia Resources for Professionals has more information.

5. Review the patient’s potential depression risk factors

6. Review the patient’s functional ability and level of safety

• Ability to perform ADLs

7. Establish an appropriate patient written screening schedule

Base the written screening schedule on the:

• Checklist for the next 5–10 years
• United States Preventive Services Task Force and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations
• Patient’s HRA, health status and screening history, and age-appropriate preventive services we cover

8. Establish the patient’s list of risk factors and conditions

• A recommendation for primary, secondary, or tertiary interventions or report whether they’re underway
• Mental health conditions, including depression, substance use disorders , suicidality, and cognitive impairments
• IPPE risk factors or identified conditions
• Treatment options and associated risks and benefits

9. Provide personalized patient health advice and appropriate referrals to health education or preventive counseling services or programs

Include referrals to educational and counseling services or programs aimed at:

• Fall prevention
• Physical activity
• Tobacco-use cessation
• Social engagement
• Weight loss

10. Provide advance care planning (ACP) services at the patient’s discretion

ACP is a discussion between you and the patient about:

• Preparing an advance directive in case an injury or illness prevents them from making their own health care decisions
• Future care decisions they might need or want to make
• How they can let others know about their care preferences
• Caregiver identification
• Advance directive elements, which may involve completing standard forms

Advance directive is a general term that refers to various documents, like a living will, instruction directive, health care proxy, psychiatric advance directive, or health care power of attorney. It’s a document that appoints an agent or records a person’s wishes about their medical treatment at a future time when the individual can’t communicate for themselves. The Advance Care Planning fact sheet has more information.

We don’t limit how many times the patient can revisit the ACP during the year, but cost sharing applies outside the AWV.

11. Review current opioid prescriptions

• Review any potential OUD risk factors
• Provide information about non-opioid treatment options

12. Screen for potential SUDs

Review the patient’s potential SUD risk factors, and as appropriate, refer them for treatment. You can use a screening tool, but it’s not required. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has screening and assessment tools. Implementing Drug and Alcohol Screening in Primary Care is a helpful resource .

13. Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Risk Assessment

Starting in 2024, Medicare includes an optional SDOH Risk Assessment as part of the AWV. This assessment must follow standardized, evidence-based practices and ensure communication aligns with the patient’s educational, developmental, and health literacy level, as well as being culturally and linguistically appropriate.

1. Review and update the HRA

2. Update the patient’s medical and family history

At a minimum, document updates to:

3. Update current providers and suppliers list

Include current patient providers and suppliers that regularly provide medical care, including those added because of the first AWV personalized prevention plan services (PPPS), and any behavioral health providers.

• Weight (or waist circumference, if appropriate) and blood pressure

5. Detect any cognitive impairments patients may have

Check for cognitive impairment as part of the subsequent AWV.

6. Update the patient’s written screening schedule

Base written screening schedule on the:

7. Update the patient’s list of risk factors and conditions

• Mental health conditions, including depression, substance use disorders , and cognitive impairments
• Risk factors or identified conditions

8. As necessary, provide and update patient PPPS, including personalized health advice and appropriate referrals to health education or preventive counseling services or programs

9. Provide advance care planning (ACP) services at the patient’s discretion

10. Review current opioid prescriptions

11. Screen for potential substance use disorders (SUDs)

12. Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Risk Assessment

Preparing Eligible Patients for their AWV

Help eligible patients prepare for their AWV by encouraging them to bring this information to their appointment:

• Medical records, including immunization records
• Detailed family health history
• Full list of medications and supplements, including calcium and vitamins, and how often and how much of each they take
• Full list of current providers and suppliers involved in their care, including community-based providers (for example, personal care, adult day care, and home-delivered meals), and behavioral health specialists

Use these HCPCS codes to file AWV claims:

Annual wellness visit; includes a personalized prevention plan of service (pps), initial visit

Annual wellness visit, includes a personalized prevention plan of service (pps), subsequent visit

Report a diagnosis code when submitting AWV claims. We don’t require you to use a specific AWV diagnosis code, so you may choose any diagnosis code consistent with the patient’s exam.

Part B covers an AWV if performed by a:

• Medical professional (including health educator, registered dietitian, nutrition professional, or other licensed practitioner) or a team of medical professionals directly supervised by a physician

When you provide an AWV and a significant, separately identifiable, medically necessary evaluation and management (E/M) service, we may pay for the additional service. Report the additional CPT code (99202–99205, 99211–99215) with modifier 25. That portion of the visit must be medically necessary and reasonable to treat the patient’s illness or injury or to improve the functioning of a malformed body part.

You can only bill G0438 or G0439 once in a 12-month period. G0438 is for the first AWV, and G0439 is for subsequent AWVs. Don’t bill G0438 or G0439 within 12 months of a previous G0402 (IPPE) billing for the same patient. We deny these claims with messages indicating the patient reached the benefit maximum for the time period.

Medicare telehealth includes HCPCS codes G0438 and G0439.

ACP is the face-to-face conversation between a physician (or other qualified health care professional) and a patient to discuss their health care wishes and medical treatment preferences if they become unable to communicate or make decisions about their care. At the patient’s discretion, you can provide the ACP during the AWV.

Use these CPT codes to file ACP claims as an optional AWV element:

Advance care planning including the explanation and discussion of advance directives such as standard forms (with completion of such forms, when performed), by the physician or other qualified health care professional; first 30 minutes, face-to-face with the patient, family member(s), and/or surrogate

Advance care planning including the explanation and discussion of advance directives such as standard forms (with completion of such forms, when performed), by the physician or other qualified health care professional; each additional 30 minutes (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

Report a diagnosis code when submitting an ACP claim as an optional AWV element. We don’t require you to use a specific ACP diagnosis code as an optional AWV element, so you may choose any diagnosis code consistent with a patient’s exam.

We waive both the Part B ACP coinsurance and deductible when it’s:

• Provided on the same day as the covered AWV
• Provided by the same provider as the covered AWV
• Billed with modifier 33 (Preventive Service)
• Billed on the same claim as the AWV

We waive the ACP deductible and coinsurance once per year when billed with the AWV. If we deny the AWV billed with ACP for exceeding the once-per-year limit, we’ll apply the ACP deductible and coinsurance .

We apply the deductible and coinsurance when you deliver the ACP outside the covered AWV. There are no limits on the number of times you can report ACP for a certain patient in a certain period. When billing this service multiple times, document changes in the patient’s health status or wishes about their end-of-life care.

SDOH is important in assessing patient histories; in assessing patient risk; and in guiding medical decision making, prevention, diagnosis, care, and treatment. In the CY 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule , we added a new SDOH Risk Assessment as an optional, additional element of the AWV. At both yours and the patient’s discretion, you may conduct the SDOH Risk Assessment during the AWV.

Use this HCPCS code to file SDOH Risk Assessment claims as an optional AWV element:

Administration of a standardized, evidence-based social determinants of health risk assessment tool, 5-15 minutes

Report a diagnosis code when submitting an SDOH Risk Assessment claim as an optional AWV element. We don’t require you to use a specific SDOH Risk Assessment diagnosis code as an optional AWV element, so you may choose any diagnosis code consistent with a patient’s exam.

The implementation date for SDOH Risk Assessment claims is July 1, 2024. We waive both the Part B SDOH Risk Assessment coinsurance and deductible when it’s:

We waive the SDOH Risk Assessment deductible and coinsurance once per year when billed with the AWV.

If we deny the AWV billed with SDOH Risk Assessment for exceeding the once-per-year limit, we’ll apply the deductible and coinsurance. We also apply the deductible and coinsurance when you deliver the SDOH Risk Assessment outside the covered AWV.

AWV Resources

• 42 CFR 410.15
• Section 140 of the Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 18

No. The AWV isn’t a routine physical some patients may get periodically from their physician or other qualified NPP. We don’t cover routine physical exams.

No. We waive the coinsurance, copayment, and Part B deductible for the AWV.

We cover an AWV for all patients who’ve had Medicare coverage for longer than 12 months after their first Part B eligibility date and who didn’t have an IPPE or AWV within those past 12 months. We cover only 1 IPPE per patient per lifetime and 1 additional AWV every 12 months after the date of the patient’s last AWV (or IPPE). Check eligibility to find when a patient is eligible for their next preventive service.

Generally, you may provide other medically necessary services on the same date as an AWV. The deductible and coinsurance or copayment applies for these other medically necessary and reasonable services.

You have different options for accessing AWV eligibility information depending on where you practice. Check eligibility to find when a patient is eligible for their next preventive service. Find your MAC’s website if you have specific patient eligibility questions.

Know the Differences

An IPPE is a review of a patient’s medical and social health history and includes education about other preventive services .

• We cover 1 IPPE per lifetime for patients within the first 12 months after their Part B benefits eligibility date
• We pay IPPE costs if the provider accepts assignment

An AWV is a review of a patient’s personalized prevention plan of services and includes a health risk assessment.

• We cover an annual AWV for patients who aren’t within the first 12 months after their Part B benefits eligibility date
• We cover an annual AWV 12 months after the last AWV’s (or IPPE’s) date of service
• We pay AWV costs if the provider accepts assignment

A routine physical is an exam performed without relationship to treatment or diagnosis for a specific illness, symptom, complaint, or injury.

• We don’t cover routine physical exams, but the IPPE, AWV, or other Medicare benefits cover some routine physical elements
• Patients pay 100% out of pocket

View the Medicare Learning Network® Content Disclaimer and Department of Health & Human Services Disclosure .

The Medicare Learning Network®, MLN Connects®, and MLN Matters® are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).

CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2022 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/HHSARS apply. Fee schedules, relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not part of CPT, and the AMA is not recommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services. The AMA assumes no liability for data contained or not contained herein.

Recent Posts

• Behavioral Health
• Children's Health (Pediatrics)
• Exercise and Fitness
• Heart Health
• Men's Health
• Neurosurgery
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Orthopedic Health
• Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery
• Women's Health

Common questions about Medicare annual wellness visits

If you are a Medicare recipient, you can take advantage of annual wellness visits. These visits are a preventive health benefit available after having Medicare Part B coverage for at least one year. All Medicare Advantage Plans are required to offer annual wellness visits for their members. A nurse or nurse practitioner reviews your health status and helps you plan for health and wellness needs.

In most cases, the annual wellness visit will be followed by a separate medical visit  with your primary care professional to close any health care gaps and address any problems identified during the visit.

Here are answers to common questions about annual wellness visits.

Why are annual wellness visits important.

The annual wellness visit allows you to review your health history and identify any current or potential health risks with a health care professional. The visit enables the nurse to focus on prevention and wellness while making sure you are current on recommended immunizations and health screenings like colonoscopies or mammograms. It also allows your primary care professional more time to focus on your medical concerns and needs at a separate physical exam.

Do I need to be 65 or older to have an annual wellness visit?

You do not need to be 65 or older to qualify for an annual wellness visit as long as you've been on Medicare Part B for at least one year.

How is an annual wellness visit scheduled?

If you are due for an annual wellness visit, you may be prompted to self-schedule the visit in the patient portal . You also may call your care team and ask to be scheduled.

If your visit is with a nurse or nurse practitioner, it's recommended to schedule this visit before the visit with your primary care professional. This allows your primary care professional the chance to address any concerns mentioned during your annual wellness visit.

How can I prepare for my annual wellness visit?

You may be asked to complete some questionnaires before arriving for your appointment, which will be sent to your patient portal account. If you cannot access the questionnaires before the appointment, plan to arrive at your appointment early to complete them.

It's helpful to come prepared to your visit with this information:

• All medications, vitamins and supplements you take, including how much and how often you take them
• Additional medical records, including immunization records
• Dates of your most recent preventive services, like a colonoscopy or mammogram, if completed by another health care facility
• Family health history, with as much detail as possible
• List of medical providers and suppliers who provide you care, equipment or services

What can you expect during an annual wellness visit?

During the visit, you'll meet with a nurse or nurse practitioner to:.

• Evaluate your fall risk
• Measure your height, weight and blood pressure
• Offer referrals to other health education or preventive services
• Provide information related to voluntary advance care planning
• Screen for cognitive impairments like dementia
• Screen for depression
• Update your medical and family history

What is the cost of an annual wellness visit?

Medicare offers the visit at no cost for people who have Medicare Part B coverage for at least one year before the visit. If you are referred for other tests or services, they will be billed to your insurance. If you have a separate visit with your primary care professional following your annual wellness visit, you or your insurance carrier will be responsible for the cost of that visit.

Robert Stroebel, M.D. , is a Community Internal Medicine, Geriatric and Palliative Care physician at Mayo Clinic Primary Care in Rochester and Kasson, Minnesota.

Related Posts

Yearly "Wellness" visits

If you’ve had Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) for longer than 12 months, you can get a yearly “Wellness” visit to develop or update your personalized plan to help prevent disease or disability, based on your current health and risk factors. The yearly “Wellness” visit isn’t a physical exam.

Your first yearly “Wellness” visit can’t take place within 12 months of your Part B enrollment or your “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit. However, you don’t need to have had a “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit to qualify for a yearly “Wellness” visit.

Your costs in Original Medicare

You pay nothing for this visit if your doctor or other health care 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 doctor or other health care provider performs additional tests or services during the same visit that Medicare doesn't cover under this preventive benefit.

If Medicare doesn't cover the additional tests or services (like a routine physical exam), you may have to pay the full amount.

Your doctor or other health care provider will ask you to fill out a questionnaire, called a “Health Risk Assessment,” as part of this visit. Answering these questions can help you and your doctor develop a personalized prevention plan to help you stay healthy and get the most out of your visit. Your visit may include:

• Routine measurements (like height, weight, and blood pressure).
• A review of your medical and family history.
• A review of your current prescriptions.
• Personalized health advice.
• Advance care planning .

Your doctor or other health care provider will also perform a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Signs of cognitive impairment include trouble remembering, learning new things, concentrating, managing finances, and making decisions about your everyday life. If your doctor or other health care provider thinks you may have cognitive impairment, Medicare covers a separate visit to do a more thorough review of your cognitive function and check for conditions like dementia, depression, anxiety, or delirium and design a care plan.

If you have a current prescription for opioids, your doctor or other health care provider will review your potential risk factors for opioid use disorder, evaluate your severity of pain and current treatment plan, provide information on non-opioid treatment options, and may refer you to a specialist, if appropriate. Your doctor or other health care provider will also review your potential risk factors for substance use disorder, like alcohol and tobacco use , and refer you for treatment, if needed. 

Related resources

• Preventive visits
• Social determinants of health risk assessment

Is my test, item, or service covered?

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Automatic Refunds and No More Hidden Fees: D.O.T. Sets New Rules for Airlines

The Transportation Department issued new requirements on refunds when flights are canceled or delayed and on revealing “junk” fees before booking. Here’s what passengers can expect.

By Christine Chung

The Transportation Department on Wednesday announced new rules taking aim at two of the most difficult and annoying issues in air travel: obtaining refunds and encountering surprise fees late in the booking process.

“Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them — without having to ask,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement, adding that the changes would not only save passengers “time and money,” but also prevent headaches.

The department’s new rules, Mr. Buttigieg said, will hold airlines to clear and consistent standards when they cancel, delay or substantially change flights, and require automatic refunds to be issued within weeks. They will also require them to reveal all fees before a ticket is purchased.

Airlines for America , a trade group representing the country’s largest air carriers, said in a statement that its airlines “abide by and frequently exceed” D.O.T. consumer protection regulations.

Passenger advocates welcomed the new steps.

Tomasz Pawliszyn, the chief executive of AirHelp, a Berlin-based company that assists passengers with airline claims, called it a “massive step forward and huge improvement in consumer rights and protection” that brings the United States closer to global standards in passenger rights.

Here’s what we know about the D.O.T.’s new rules, which will begin to go into effect in October.

There’s now one definition for a “significant” delay.

Until now, airlines have been allowed to set their own definition for a “significant” delay and compensation has varied by carrier . Now, according to the D.O.T., there will be one standard: when departure or arrival is delayed by three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights.

Passengers will get prompt refunds for cancellations or significant changes for flights and delayed bags, for any reason.

When things go wrong, getting compensation from an airline has often required establishing a cumbersome paper trail or spending untold hours on the phone. Under the new rules, refunds will be automatic, without passengers having to request them. Refunds will be made in full, excepting the value of any transportation already used. Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in the original form of payment, whether by cash, credit card or airline miles. Refunds are due within seven days for credit card purchases and within 20 days for other payments.

Passengers with other flight disruptions, such as being downgraded to a lower service class, are also entitled to refunds.

The list of significant changes for which passengers can get their money back also includes: departure or arrival from an airport different from the one booked; connections at different airports or flights on planes that are less accessible to a person with a disability; an increase in the number of scheduled connections. Also, passengers who pay for services like Wi-Fi or seat selection that are then unavailable will be refunded any fees.

Airlines must give travel vouchers or credits to ticketed passengers unable to fly because of government restrictions or a doctor’s orders.

The vouchers or credits will be transferable and can be used for at least five years after the date they were issued.

Fees for checked baggage and modifying a reservation must be disclosed upfront.

Airlines and ticket agents are now required to display any extra fees for things like checking bags or seat selection clearly and individually before a ticket purchase. They will also need to outline the airline’s policies on baggage, cancellations and changing flights before a customer purchases a ticket.

The rules, which apply to all flights on domestic airlines and flights to and from the United States operated by foreign airlines, have varying start dates.

For example, automatic refunds must be instituted by the airlines within six months. But carriers have a year before they’re required to issue travel vouchers and credits for passengers advised by a medical professional not to fly.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Christine Chung is a Times reporter covering airlines and consumer travel. More about Christine Chung

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes

Venice’s Tourist Fee Is Now in Effect — What to Know

The fee is in place for day-visitors over 14 years old from 8.30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Stacey Wreathall/Travel + Leisure

Day visitors to Venice on Thursday had to pay to get in as the famous city started implementing the much-talked about day trip fee.

Travelers hoping to explore the Italian city had to pony up €5 ($5.36) per person at the train station. The fee, which was first floated as an idea in 2019 but postponed several times , will initially be in effect for 29 days and cover most weekends through mid-July.

“We need to find a new balance between the tourists and residents,’’ Simone Venturini, the city’s top tourism official, told The Associated Press . “We need to safeguard the spaces of the residents, of course, and we need to discourage the arrival of day-trippers on some particular days.”

The dates the fee is in effect were displayed on large signs at Venice’s main train station on Thursday, the wire service reported, with separate entrances available for tourists, and residents, students, and workers.

The fee, which is in effect for travelers over 14 years old from 8.30 a.m. to 4 p.m., can be paid online . Day visitors who pay in advance receive a QR code, which they must then show to officials at Venice's main access points.

On Thursday, the AP noted there were stewards available to help travelers unaware of the new rules to download the QR code and pay.

Tourists who are staying overnight will not have to pay the new day fee, but must apply online for an exemption . Overnight guests who book a hotel stay are already subject to a different tax.

This fee is the city’s latest effort to address overtourism. In January, Venice built on that goal by announcing plans to limit the number of travelers allowed on tour groups to no more than 25 people. That rule will apply to Venice’s historic center as well as the popular islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello.

These efforts come months after UNESCO spared Venice from its list of world heritage sites in danger once again despite recommendations to add it.

Airlines must cough up cancellation cash and can no longer hide fees under new federal rule

A federal rule announced Wednesday will require airlines to quickly give cash refunds — without lengthy arguments — to passengers whose flights have been canceled or seriously delayed, the Biden administration said.

“Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them — without headaches or haggling,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.

The rule from the Transportation Department says passengers who decline other reimbursement like travel credits are to get cash refunds.

It applies when a flight is canceled or has a “significant change,” the administration said.A “significant change” includes when departure or arrival times are three or more hours different from the scheduled times for domestic flights or six hours for international flights, and when the airport is changed or connections are added, it said.

Passengers are also to get refunds when their baggage is 12 hours late in delivery for domestic flights.

The new rule comes after promises to hold airlines accountable after major disruptions that made travel hell for passengers, including the 2022 Southwest Airlines meltdown , which resulted in almost 17,000 significantly delayed or canceled flights and a missing baggage nightmare.

The Transportation Department said that the new rule means refunds are automatic and that "airlines must automatically issue refunds without passengers having to explicitly request them or jump through hoops."

Also announced Wednesday was a rule requiring airlines to more clearly disclose so-called junk fees upfront, such as surprise baggage or other fees, the department said.

It said that rule is expected to save fliers around $500 million a year.

The surprise fees are used so tickets look cheaper than they really are, and then fliers get the unwelcome surprise of fees on checked bags, carry-on bags or reservation changes — or even discounts that are advertised but apply to only part of the ticket price, officials said.

Airlines will also have to tell fliers clearly that their seats are guaranteed and that they don't have to pay extra to ensure they have seats for flights, according to the Transportation Department.

Airlines for America, an industry trade group, said that its member airlines “offer transparency and vast choice to consumers from first search to touchdown” and that they do offer cash refunds.

The 11 largest U.S. airlines returned $10.9 billion in cash refunds last year, an increase over $7.5 billion in 2019 but slightly down from $11.2 billion in 2022, the group said.

“U.S. airlines are providing more options and better services while ticket prices, including ancillary revenues, are at historic lows,” Airlines for America said.

Left out of the federal changes announced Wednesday are those involving "family seating fees," but the Transportation Department said in a statement that "DOT is planning to propose a separate rule that bans airlines from charging these junk fees."

Travelers have complained to the Transportation Department that children weren’t seated next to accompanying adults, including in some cases young children, department officials said last year.

Fees on bags specifically have made up an increasing amount of airline revenues, the Transportation Department said Wednesday in announcing the new rules.

A Transportation Department analysis found that airline revenue from baggage fees increased 30% from 2018 to 2022, while operating revenue — which is from the flights themselves — increased by only half that amount, the department said.

Jay Blackman is an NBC News producer covering such areas as transportation, space, medical and consumer issues.

Phil Helsel is a reporter for NBC News.

Pay to enter: Venice becomes the first city to implement a tourist ticket system

Venice became the first city in the world on Thursday to introduce a payment system for visitors in an experiment aimed at dissuading tourists from arriving during peak periods.

However, it isn't the only place in Italy that has recently introduced new measures aimed at slowing tourist flows.

Here are some of the initiatives currently in force.

Venice tourist tax

The lagoon city has introduced 5 euros (about $5.35) tickets for day trippers, valid from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The experiment came into force on April 25, a national holiday in Italy. Tickets will be needed for the following 10 days and thereafter for most weekends until mid-July.

Venice residents, students, workers, and homeowners are exempt from paying or booking a slot. Visitors aged under 14 and tourists with hotel reservations will need to register, but access for them will be free of charge.

Other cities, such as Como, have said they are considering introducing a similar measure but are waiting to see how the Venice initiative works before deciding.

In addition, Venice has said that from June, it will limit the size of tourist groups to 25 people and ban the use of loudspeakers by tour guides.

Florence tourist measure

Florence announced in October that it was banning new short-term residential lets on platforms such as Airbnb in its historic center. It also offered three years of tax breaks to landlords of short-term holiday lets who start offering ordinary leases for residents.

The city's famous museum, the Uffizi, offers discounts to people who arrive before 8.55 a.m. and lower prices off-season. To spread out crowds, it also closes at 10 p.m. once a week.

Cinque Terrer overtourism

The five villages that make up the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera regularly get swamped with visitors.

To try to reduce the overcrowding at peak periods, the authority which oversees the area said this week it would charge visitors 15 euros (about $16) to walk the most celebrated coastal path. In addition, the path can only be walked in one direction.

Capri tourism measure

The picturesque small island that lies across the bay from the southern city of Naples has doubled its entry fee, which is automatically added to ferry tickets, to 5 euros. The fee will be charged from April 1 to October 1.

Capri, Ischia, Procida, Lampedusa and Linosa changes

These islands have introduced limits, or outright bans, on cars for non-residents during the main tourist season.

15 Jobs That Will Pay You To Travel

Posted: March 22, 2024 | Last updated: March 22, 2024

There are at least 15 jobs that will pay you to travel. Finding them is the hard part, keeping them is the important part.

It helps to build a reputation first as a guide since you do need to know a lot about a given area to talk about it. But a job like this that will pay you to travel is interesting and can widen your worldview in a big way.

Travel Agent

There are a few companies out there that will pay you to travel so that you can familiarize yourself with the packages they offer. Hey, the more you know, the better you sell.

Working on a Cruise Ship

This should speak for itself since there are only a few people who remain in port when a cruise ship strolls by. If you don’t mind being out at sea for a while, this is a great job for you.

Flight Attendant

Another job that speaks for itself, being a flight attendant does require working with people. But if you can be patient and understanding, as well as slightly authoritative, then you have what you need.

Archaeologist

It sounds like a dream, right? But there are a lot of caveats to this position since even being paid to travel, there’s a lot of fieldwork, and your education level needs to be at an exceptional high before you step into this arena.

Travel Writer

Much like travel agents, travel writers need to know something to write about it. While it’s true that they can use their imagination and creative skills to fill in the gaps, there’s nothing that beats experience.

Environmental Scientist

Between fieldwork and the need to visit one site or another for various reasons, this job is bound to keep a person moving. It might not be the best for people who want to visit home more often, but it’s hardly ever boring.

Storm Chaser

The travel might not be as extensive as other positions throughout the world, but a stormchaser doesn’t always stay still. It’s not like the movie Twister, at least not entirely, but it does keep a person on the move.

Event Planner

These folks need to know the venues that they’re booking, and therefore it’s necessary to take a trip now and again to see what’s what. This helps them to recommend one venue or another and keep their clients happy.

House Sitter

It’s interesting to think about this, but house sitters who can pick up and go at a moment’s notice are popular right now. There are such things as background checks of course, but building a reputation is important enough that a lot of people will keep themselves as honest as they can.

Much like a housesitter, pet sitters need to be vetted to make certain that the family pet, or pets, isn’t being placed in the hands of an inept individual. But being able to travel from one place to another is a big expense, so it’s fair to think that these jobs are very coveted and people don’t let them go lightly.

Photographer

People will travel the world over to get the best possible picture sometimes. A travel photographer will often spend months if not years abroad trying to capture the perfect images. If they find someone willing to pay for that, then kudos to them.

English Teacher

Traveling abroad isn’t uncommon for many teachers as American teachers will make their way to one country or another when their skills are in demand. With that in mind, other teachers are often tapped to teach students various subjects.

Construction Manager

A lot of construction managers might remain in a certain town or city, but those who have an exceptional skill set will be sent to projects around the world at times. Imagine being the person who’s placed on site to make sure something comes through on time or is being managed the way the big bosses want.

It’s very easy to act as a translator over a Zoom or Skype meeting, but some companies want to add a personal touch and send their people to those who need their services. This is the type of position that, if you reach it, is wise to keep for as long as possible.

The post 15 Jobs That Will Pay You To Travel appeared first on SheBudgets .

More for You

LeBron James explodes on Darvin Ham during Lakers' Game 4 victory over Nuggets

Megan Fox Signs With UTA

18 Ridiculed Historical Figures Owed an Apology By Society

For Better Or For Worse by Lynn Johnston

29 common human foods you may not realize are poisonous to your dog

98 Recipes Using 1 Pound of Ground Beef

Netflix’s new movie trailer slammed as ‘AI propaganda’

Team USA Issues Statement Regarding Caitlin Clark's Olympic Status

I’m a psychologist and mom—here are 3 phrases I wish more parents would say to their kids

Scientists claim people with this blood type more likely to have early stroke

30 food items that you might not know are banned in America

The 26 Most Dangerous Cities in the U.S. Ranked

'10-foot-tall people' discovered by archaeologists in Nevada cave

John Jacob Astor IV was one of the richest men in the world when he died on the Titanic. Here's a look at his life.

Satellite Photos Show Impact of Ukraine Attack on Russian Airbase

I Was Told My Father Was A 'Deadbeat.' After He Died, I Found Out Everything I Knew About Him Was Wrong.

We Ordered 7 Fast-Food Breakfast Sandwiches to Find the Best One

18 ‘Normal’ Things From the ’80s and ’90s That Are Considered Luxuries Now

The most expensive state to live in isn't California or New York, based on data. Here are the top 10.

Jeff Bezos predicts Amazon's 'inevitable death'

Watch CBS News

Venice becomes first city in the world to charge day trippers a tourist fee to enter

By Megan Cerullo

Edited By Aimee Picchi

Updated on: April 26, 2024 / 10:37 AM EDT / CBS News

On Thursday, Venice, Italy became the first city in the world to charge day tourists a fee  just to visit its historic canals and other attractions on peak days. 

The measure is designed to counter over-tourism and mitigate the deleterious impact large crowds can have on some of the city's fragile sites, while also persuading some tourists to visit during less busy times of the year.  

The roughly $5.37 fee only applies on 29 days that are deemed to be the busiest between April 25, a holiday in Italy, and July 14, in a trial phase of the reservation-and-fee system. 

Most people entering the city must register and obtain a QR code, or a ticket for visitors without smartphones, but some tourists are exempt from paying the fee. For instance, visitors who spend the night in a hotel or Airbnb-style accommodation are not subject to the nominal tourist fee. Likewise, residents, people born in Venice, people visiting relatives who are residents, workers, students and visitors under the age of 14 do not have to pay either.

There is no cap on the number of tourists who may reserve a visit on a given day. 

In a public video, Luigi Brugnaro, the mayor of Venice, called the new system an "experiment" to protect the city. 

"We do it with great humility," he said. In a social media post , he added that the rollout was "going well" and "the atmosphere is relaxed."

Simone Venturini, the tourism councilor of Venice, added, "The whole world would like to visit Venice, and this is an honor for us. But not everyone in the world is able to do so on the exact same day."

Experts are skeptical the tourist charge will meaningfully reduce crowds or generate enough money to cover the costs associated with accommodating large numbers of visitors, like managing water and waste.  

"For cities like Venice, most research shows that an additional tax does not lower arrivals, as is often contended," Megan Epler Wood, managing director at the Sustainable Tourism Asset Management Program (STAMP) at Cornell University, said in a statement. "In order to address the invisible burden of tourism, new destination management entities will need to determine the cost per tourist to ensure there is an equitable and sustainable use of local resources. Once such costs are determined, tax reform will be required to cover these costs."

Some residents protested the new policy on Thursday, according to media reports. Some were seen clashing with riot police, while others tried to break through a blockade, CNBC reported .

The fragile lagoon city has a population of roughly 50,000, a sliver of what it was a couple of generations ago. On its busiest days, it can draw nearly as many tourists as it has residents.

A United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage property, the city features masterpieces from Giorgione, Titian, Tintoretto and others. 

Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 to discuss her reporting.

More from CBS News

Pope Francis makes first trip outside of Rome in seven months

Self-driving tractor-trailers heading for U.S. roads

"The Demon of Unrest": Recounting the first shots of the Civil War

Dan Rather, at 92, on a life in news

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Bitcoin’s latest ‘halving’ has arrived. Here’s what you need to know

FILE - An advertisement for the cryptocurrency Bitcoin displayed on a tram, May 12, 2021, in Hong Kong. Sometime in the next few days or even hours, the “miners” who chisel bitcoins out of complex mathematics are going to take a 50% pay cut — effectively slicing new emissions of the world’s largest cryptocurrency in an event called bitcoin halving. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)

• Copy Link copied

NEW YORK (AP) — The “miners” who chisel bitcoins out of complex mathematics are taking a 50% pay cut — effectively reducing new production of the world’s largest cryptocurrency, again.

Bitcoin’s latest “halving” occurred Friday night. Soon after the highly anticipated event, the price of bitcoin held steady at about $63,907.

Now, all eyes are on what will happen down the road. Beyond bitcoin’s long-term price behavior, which relies heavily on other market conditions, experts point to potential impacts on the day-to-day operations of the asset’s miners themselves. But, as with everything in the volatile cryptoverse , the future is hard to predict.

Here’s what you need to know.

WHAT IS BITCOIN HALVING AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Bitcoin “halving,” a preprogrammed event that occurs roughly every four years, impacts the production of bitcoin. Miners use farms of noisy, specialized computers to solve convoluted math puzzles; and when they complete one, they get a fixed number of bitcoins as a reward.

Halving does exactly what it sounds like — it cuts that fixed income in half. And when the mining reward falls, so does the number of new bitcoins entering the market. That means the supply of coins available to satisfy demand grows more slowly.

Limited supply is one of bitcoin’s key features . Only 21 million bitcoins will ever exist, and more than 19.5 million of them have already been mined, leaving fewer than 1.5 million left to pull from.

So long as demand remains the same or climbs faster than supply, bitcoin prices should rise as halving limits output. Because of this, some argue that bitcoin can counteract inflation — still, experts stress that future gains are never guaranteed.

HOW OFTEN DOES HALVING OCCUR?

Per bitcoin’s code, halving occurs after the creation of every 210,000 “blocks” — where transactions are recorded — during the mining process.

No calendar dates are set in stone, but that divvies out to roughly once every four years.

WILL HALVING IMPACT BITCOIN’S PRICE?

Only time will tell. Following each of the three previous halvings, the price of bitcoin was mixed in the first few months and wound up significantly higher one year later. But as investors well know, past performance is not an indicator of future results.

“I don’t know how significant we can say halving is just yet,” said Adam Morgan McCarthy, a research analyst at Kaiko. “The sample size of three (previous halvings) isn’t big enough to say ‘It’s going to go up 500% again,’ or something.”

At the time of the last halving in May 2020, for example, bitcoin’s price stood at around $8,602, according to CoinMarketCap — and climbed almost seven-fold to nearly $56,705 by May 2021. Bitcoin prices nearly quadrupled a year after July 2016’s halving and shot up by almost 80 times one year out from bitcoin’s first halving in November 2012. Experts like McCarthy stress that other bullish market conditions contributed to those returns.

Friday’s halving also arrives after a year of steep increases for bitcoin . As of Friday night, bitcoin’s price stood at $63,907 per CoinMarketCap. That’s down from the all-time-high of about $73,750 hit last month, but still double the asset’s price from a year ago.

Much of the credit for bitcoin’s recent rally is given to the early success of a new way to invest in the asset — spot bitcoin ETFs , which were only approved by U.S. regulators in January. A research report from crypto fund manager Bitwise found that these spot ETFs, short for exchange-traded funds, saw $12.1 billion in inflows during the first quarter.

Bitwise senior crypto research analyst Ryan Rasmussen said persistent or growing ETF demand , when paired with the “supply shock” resulting from the coming halving, could help propel bitcoin’s price further.

“We would expect the price of Bitcoin to have a strong performance over the next 12 months,” he said. Rasmussen notes that he’s seen some predict gains reaching as high as $400,000, but the more “consensus estimate” is closer to the $100,000-$175,000 range.

Other experts stress caution, pointing to the possibility the gains have already been realized.

In a Wednesday research note, JPMorgan analysts maintained that they don’t expect to see post-halving price increases because the event “has already been already priced in” — noting that the market is still in overbought conditions per their analysis of bitcoin futures.

WHAT ABOUT MINERS?

Miners, meanwhile, will be challenged with compensating for the reduction in rewards while also keeping operating costs down.

“Even if there’s a slight increase in bitcoin price, (halving) can really impact a miner’s ability to pay bills,” Andrew W. Balthazor, a Miami-based attorney who specializes in digital assets at Holland & Knight, said. “You can’t assume that bitcoin is just going to go to the moon. As your business model, you have to plan for extreme volatility.”

Better-prepared miners have likely laid the groundwork ahead of time, perhaps by increasing energy efficiency or raising new capital. But cracks may arise for less-efficient, struggling firms.

One likely outcome: Consolidation. That’s become increasingly common in the bitcoin mining industry, particularly following a major crypto crash in 2022.

In its recent research report, Bitwise found that total miner revenue slumped one month after each of the three previous halvings. But those figures had rebounded significantly after a full year — thanks to spikes in the price of bitcoin as well as larger miners expanding their operations.

Time will tell how mining companies fare following this latest halving. But Rasmussen is betting that big players will continue to expand and utilize the industry’s technology advances to make operations more efficient.

WHAT ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT?

Pinpointing definitive data on the environmental impacts directly tied to bitcoin halving is still a bit of a question mark. But it’s no secret that crypto mining consumes a lot of energy overall — and operations relying on pollutive sources have drawn particular concern over the years.

Recent research published by the United Nations University and Earth’s Future journal found that the carbon footprint of 2020-2021 bitcoin mining across 76 nations was equivalent to emissions of burning 84 billion pounds of coal or running 190 natural gas-fired power plants. Coal satisfied the bulk of bitcoin’s electricity demands (45%), followed by natural gas (21%) and hydropower (16%).

Environmental impacts of bitcoin mining boil largely down to the energy source used. Industry analysts have maintained that pushes towards the use of more clean energy have increased in recent years, coinciding with rising calls for climate protections from regulators around the world.

Production pressures could result in miners looking to cut costs. Ahead of the latest halving, JPMorgan cautioned that some bitcoin mining firms may “look to diversify into low energy cost regions” to deploy inefficient mining rigs.

• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Delta
• Racial and Ethnic Diversity
• LGBTQ+ Diversity
• People with Disabilities
• Veterans and the Military
• Sustainability
• Awards & Recognition
• Global Partners

Following a payout of $1.4 billion in profit sharing bonuses, Delta is investing in frontline employees by raising the minimum starting wage to $19 an hour and providing employees across the company with a 5% pay raise. In an internal memo, CEO Ed Bastian announced Monday the raise comes as Delta continues to invest in industry-leading total compensation to reward operational excellence and customer care. 

With this investment, which will take effect on Jun 1, 2024, Delta continues to lead with industry-leading total compensation for industry-leading performance in all work groups. Including this 2024 raise, Delta has made cumulative investments of 20-25% in compensation in each of our largest frontline workgroups since 2022.  

“Delta’s leading position comes thanks to a simple concept that dates back nearly a century – invest in our people first, and they will deliver great service and experiences for our customers,” Bastian said in a memo to all employees. “That’s exactly what you do, and it always sets us apart.” 

Sharing success is a foundational component of Delta’s values-driven business model and a core aspect of the company’s culture. Delta created its profit-sharing structure after the turbulent period the airline industry underwent in the early 2000s, as leaders worked to boost employee morale and cultivate a workplace of gratitude and teamwork.    

The pay increases complement profit-sharing, which has paid out over $11 billion to employees since the program’s inception in 2007.  Like profit-sharing, wage increases remain an important part of Delta’s efforts to reward the people who make Delta America’s most awarded airline. In the last 15 years, Delta has provided 12 base pay increases that add up to an average of 85% increase in base pay.  

Delta continues to lead the industry in profit sharing and total compensation, with this year’s total greater than the pool of all U.S. peer airlines combined.  And in the first quarter of 2024, Delta is already tracking ahead of last year – accruing $125 million for profit sharing. 

Profit sharing and competitive base pay are just the beginning of Delta’s employee financial wellness commitment. Delta also matches up to 6% plus a fixed contribution of 3% to 401(k) retirement savings; pays up to $100 monthly shared rewards for achieving operational goals; offers free financial coaching with the ability to earn $1,000 for emergency savings; and much more.  

• Delta people

Related Other Media

Not finding what you need?