For people insured through Medicare or a Medicare Replacement Plan, one of the biggest—and often overlooked—benefits is qualifying for a free Annual Wellness Visit (AWV).
According to Amanda Shakar, BSN, RN, one of the three SVMC nurses who conduct wellness visits throughout the primary care network, “Unlike most of the visits to your doctor, which typically address acute issues and chronic care management, AWVs focus on screenings, health risks, and preventative planning.” These visits provide time to review factors influencing your long-term health and lead to the creation of a personalized prevention plan.
Focused attention on every aspect of you
As the name suggests, AWVs differ from routine check-ups.
The first part of an AWV involves filling out a health risk assessment form. You’ll review this form and any information related to allergies, current medications, and your family, surgical, and personal health history with your wellness nurse. You’ll also be screened for depression, anxiety, cognition, fall risk, and social determinants (non-medical factors that impact health), such as housing, food security, and home safety. Your wellness nurse will also review your vaccination record and advise which vaccines you should consider receiving.
Shakar says, “An AWV takes a big-picture view of your health. We provide your usual primary care clinician with a complete picture of your health and you with a preventative care plan that outlines recommended tests, screenings, and preventative services. The aim is to improve your health today and prevent future disease.”
Looking beyond physical factors
Because there’s more to good health than physical well-being, AWVs also assess social and mental health aspects of a patient’s life.
“Stress, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and isolation can have a huge impact on quality of life and increase risk for developing chronic conditions,” says Shakar. “We use our time with patients to assess if they have the needed support and resources, and if they might benefit from referrals to our case managers, diabetic educators, or social workers.”
Shakar recognizes Advance Directives as another vital aspect of the AWV. “An important document everyone should have, an advance directive is one way patients can take control of the healthcare choices they want near the end of their life.” As a nurse who has spent the last decade working with acute and critically ill patients, Shakar reports she has seen the detrimental effects lack of planning creates for patients and their loved ones. “During these visits, we educate individuals on how they can start this process and can provide helpful referrals.”
Understanding eligibility, costs, and scheduling
Anyone with Medicare Part B who has not had an AWV or an initial ‘Welcome to Medicare’ visit in the past 12 months is eligible. There is no out-of-pocket cost for the visit. However, any recommended or required tests or screenings resulting from your visit may incur a co-payment or a deductible expense.
Shakar recommends that Medicare beneficiaries contact their provider’s office to schedule an appointment for an AWV. “Our goal is to help bridge the gaps in care,” says Shakar. “We focus on keeping patients well and giving them the tools to stay that way.”
One hour to a healthier you
Beyond the fact that they’re free, there are other compelling reasons to schedule an AWV. “An annual wellness visit can help identify common – often serious – health issues including cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease,” says Shakar. “The AWV has the potential to improve health outcomes, reduce gaps in care, and decrease healthcare expenditures.”
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This piece originally appeared in SVMC's Healthy+ magazine. Learn more here.