Download Geriatric Education Series MEDICARE ANNUAL WELLNESS VISIT

GERIATRIC EDUCATION SERIES
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Funded in part by a grant from the EJC
Foundation
Geriatric Education Series
MEDICARE ANNUAL WELLNESS VISIT
Steven L. Phillips, MD
Medical Director
Sanford Center for Aging
dhs.unr.edu/aging
Medicare Annual Wellness Visit
Established in 2010 through the Affordable Care Act,
this benefit was designed to encourage monitoring of
physical and cognitive abilities, as well as development
of plans associated with decreasing the impact of
increasing frailty on everyday life for elders. Several of
the chronic conditions experienced by elders are
typically not of acute onset. These conditions often
display minor symptoms at earlier stages that may be
missed if not specifically screened for.
Course Objectives
• Objective 1: Describe the key elements of the
Medicare Wellness Visit
• Objective 2: Provide criteria for prioritizing at risk
patients in need of the Wellness Visit
• Objective 3: Define opportunities for closing gaps in
care
Relevant Codes
HCPCS/CPT Code: G0438
• Completed once per beneficiary per lifetime
HCPCS/CPT Code: G0439
• Annual re-examination of the care plan previously
established
Health Risk Assessment Key Elements
• Demographic data
• Self-Assessment of health
• Psychological risk and risk
factors
• Behavioral risks
• Activities of Daily Living
(ADLs)
• Instrumental Activities of
Daily Living (IADLs)
• Assessment of medical history
(including familial risk factors)
• Psychological screenings
(depression, etc.)
• Frailty assessment/Functional
Capacity
• Assessment of fall risk including
home safety
• Cognitive assessment (direct
observation and caregiver
report)
• Advanced care preferences
Identifying at Risk Patients
• Living alone in
community
• Increasing weakness
• Memory complaints
• Six or more chronic
medications
• Involuntary weight loss
• Worsening mobility
• Five or more chronic
conditions
• Three or more
hospitalizations
Closing Gaps in Care
• Review chronic
conditions
• Update immunizations
• Personalized care plan
• Highlight preventative
services
• Medication
reconciliation
• Identify in-home care
needs
• Advanced directive/
POLST update
• Specialty referral as
needed
Marketing to Clientele
• Stay healthy with free annual wellness visit
• Thorough review of medical and family history
• Developing or updating a list of current providers and
medications
• Personalized health and wellness advice
• List of risk factors and educational options
• Discussion of additional screenings or services that
may be beneficial to patient and family
Sanford Center Geriatric Specialty Clinic
Steven L. Phillips, MD
[email protected]
(775) 784-1808