Annual Wellness Visit Tips
The Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) is exactly what it says it is... a Wellness Visit. It is a wellness visit during which the beneficiary's medical history, risk factors, functional ability and routine measurements are all captured in order to provide a Personalized Prevention Plan which the beneficiary may choose to follow to maintain good health. The AWV is NOT the same as a yearly (annual) physical exam.
Both the first AWV and subsequent AWVs have a checklist of elements which must be provided, or provided and referred, before submitting a claim for the AWV. These checklists can be found for your use on a quick reference factsheet at the following link: www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/AWV_Chart_ICN905706.pdf
A Medicare beneficiary who is no longer within 12 months after the effective date of his/her first Medicare Part B coverage and who has not received either an Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE) or an AWV within the last 12 months is eligible for an AWV. Medicare Part B will pay for one initial AWV and a subsequent AWV yearly thereafter. There is no coinsurance or copayment on the part of the beneficiary for the AWV.
An AWV can be performed by the following health professionals:
· physician (doctor of medicine or osteopathy)
· qualified non-physician practitioner such as a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist
· health educator
· registered Dietitian
· nutrition professional
· other licensed practitioner
· team of such medical professionals working under the direct supervision of a physician
You can help your patients prepare for the AWV by advising them that this is NOT a physical exam or "check-up", and encouraging them to come prepared with the following:
Medical records, including immunization records
Family health history
A full list of current medications and supplements
A full list of current providers and suppliers involved in their care
The following resources are helpful in understanding the AWV in greater detail:
The Guide to Medicare Preventive Services - www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/mps_guide_web-061305.pdf
Medicare Benefit Policy Manual - www.cms.gov/manuals/downloads/bp102c15.pdf
Change Request 7079 - Annual Wellness Visit - www.cms.gov/transmittals/downloads/R2159CP.pdf
Medicare Learning Network Preventive Services Educational Products Website - www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/35_PreventiveServices.asp
The Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) is exactly what it says it is... a Wellness Visit. It is a wellness visit during which the beneficiary's medical history, risk factors, functional ability and routine measurements are all captured in order to provide a Personalized Prevention Plan which the beneficiary may choose to follow to maintain good health. The AWV is NOT the same as a yearly (annual) physical exam.
Both the first AWV and subsequent AWVs have a checklist of elements which must be provided, or provided and referred, before submitting a claim for the AWV. These checklists can be found for your use on a quick reference factsheet at the following link: www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/AWV_Chart_ICN905706.pdf
A Medicare beneficiary who is no longer within 12 months after the effective date of his/her first Medicare Part B coverage and who has not received either an Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE) or an AWV within the last 12 months is eligible for an AWV. Medicare Part B will pay for one initial AWV and a subsequent AWV yearly thereafter. There is no coinsurance or copayment on the part of the beneficiary for the AWV.
An AWV can be performed by the following health professionals:
· physician (doctor of medicine or osteopathy)
· qualified non-physician practitioner such as a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist
· health educator
· registered Dietitian
· nutrition professional
· other licensed practitioner
· team of such medical professionals working under the direct supervision of a physician
You can help your patients prepare for the AWV by advising them that this is NOT a physical exam or "check-up", and encouraging them to come prepared with the following:
Medical records, including immunization records
Family health history
A full list of current medications and supplements
A full list of current providers and suppliers involved in their care
The following resources are helpful in understanding the AWV in greater detail:
The Guide to Medicare Preventive Services - www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/mps_guide_web-061305.pdf
Medicare Benefit Policy Manual - www.cms.gov/manuals/downloads/bp102c15.pdf
Change Request 7079 - Annual Wellness Visit - www.cms.gov/transmittals/downloads/R2159CP.pdf
Medicare Learning Network Preventive Services Educational Products Website - www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/35_PreventiveServices.asp
RSS Feed