AHS Podcast Episode 14 – Provider Benefits of Encouraging Annual Wellness Visits

Despite their value, Medicare annual wellness visits are healthcare services that are underused.  A Medicare annual wellness visit can provide an important opportunity to assess a range of factors, including functional status, health risks, cognitive function and health indicators such as blood pressure.

The visit can also be a good time to coordinate care and increase patient activation. But, as the study found, the percentage of eligible Medicare beneficiaries who actually receive annual wellness visits is very small (18.8%). Medicare began offering the annual wellness visit benefit in 2011 under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as a way to proactively address risks and improve the health of older adults. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reimburses medical practices for the visits, which are offered free of charge to beneficiaries.

Tune in as Alliant’s the Deputy Director of Population Health, Donna Cohen shares insight about the components of annual wellness visits, the benefits to the provider and how Alliant supports facilities in their efforts to promote the importance of the visit.

Click HERE to listen to the podcast.