First
introduced by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2011, the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) is
an effective health benefit for keeping the senior population healthy as they
age.
A
Medicare annual wellness visit is free of charge for beneficiaries and is a
great way for you to connect with your primary care physician. Completing your
Medicare Annual Wellness Visit gives you the power to take a proactive approach
to preventing serious illness and maintaining good health.
For caregivers, it’s important to make sure your
loved one is utilizing this important check-in with their doctor. If you are
able to attend the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, use the opportunity to ask
questions, discuss ongoing concerns and prepare for your loved one’s future
health needs.
What is a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit?
A
Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is different from a traditional annual physical.
Your doctor will spend time with you discussing your health status and any
other problems you may want to disclose.
During
a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, you can expect to talk about a range of
health factors, including:
·
Functional status (your ability to perform daily tasks and
activities)
·
Cognitive function (your ability to think, learn and remember)
·
Medical and family history
·
Any risk factors impacting your health
·
Health indicators such as height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI)
and blood pressure
·
Other screenings to be recommended as appropriate to maintain a
healthy lifestyle
“The
visit can be a good time to coordinate care and put the power of managing your
own health in your hands,” said Michael Massey, MD, vice president of physician
performance for Baylor Scott & White Quality
Alliance.
Benefits of completing your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit
·
Quality time with your provider: It’s an opportunity
for you to have your care truly coordinated. Along with routine vitals, your
provider will take a proactive approach to discussing your “whole health”
during this visit.
·
A chance to catch health problems early: The Annual
Wellness Visit can help to reduce the likelihood or duration of more serious
problems that may arise later in life.
·
Healthy rewards: Many Medicare plans offer
incentives for people who complete their visit. Check with your Medicare plan.
Consider
your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit as yet another tool to help you maintain
your quality of life and age well. Ask your doctor if he or she offers the
Medicare Annual Wellness Visit.
Authored By Jean Sullivan, MBA, is
the Marketing Director for Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance (BSWQA)
the accountable care organization (ACO) affiliated with Baylor Scott &
White Health. Jean creates internal and external marketing campaigns targeted
at promoting the ACO’s efforts to deliver better health, better care and better
value to all patients and members it serves. She has worked in the realm of
marketing and communications for over 18 years authoring numerous press
releases, newsletters, video scripts, web sites, physician collateral, white
papers, executive presentations, annual reports and corporate business plans.
She is a published author for the American Medical Group Association Practice
Journal and Modern Healthcare. Jean has authored award submissions on behalf of
Baylor Scott & White HealthTexas Provider Network that amassed national
recognition for the medical group as winner of the American Medical Group
Association (AMGA) Preeminence Award (2009) and the AMGA Acclaim Award (2011,
2012 and 2014). Married with two boys, Jean likes to travel, socialize with
family and friends, and participate in athletic events.
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