Implementing Annual Wellness Visits

In April, ACHN hosted an informative event to educate providers on the Annual Wellness Visit (AWV). Unlike the routine physical, the AWV is covered by Medicare and focuses primarily on preventive care. Providers can use this opportunity to identify health risks early on and create a personalized plan for the upcoming year.

Practices wanting to achieve higher rates of AWV can use Electronic Health Record (EHR) data to identify eligible patients. At ACHN, we recommend taking a team-based approach to educate your patients and ensure a successful workflow. All members of your care team should understand their role in the process, from scheduling to coding and billing. Enlist the support of your entire medical office staff to close the gaps.

If Medicare is denying your claims for AWVs, it’s important to understand why. Your team should be using appropriate templates and proper codes to document these visits.

While Medicare does not cover routine physicals, it does cover the Initial Preventive Physical Exam and the Annual Wellness Visit.