A new 2011 Medicare benefit is an "Annual Wellness Visit" (AWV), which is available to patients (once on Medicare B for at least 12 months), and updated once every 12 months. The goal of this visit is to develop a "Personalized Prevention Plan of Service" (PPPS), which is a written health risk assessment and recommendations for screening and counseling. It does not replace a periodic exam, and actually does not include an examination by a physician.
This is the annual version of the "Welcome to Medicare" visit that was introduced last year for patients within the first 12 months of getting on Medicare B.
I have already had a few inquiries from patients, I am sure there will be more once Medicare and AARP starts notifying patients. The patients don't have any cost if their doctor accepts assignment, which should make the AWV popular. The Medicare approved for doctors in my area is below:
-- "Welcome to Medicare" (G0402) - $148.92
-- Initial "Annual Wellness Visit" (G0438) - $161.85
-- Subsequent "Annual Wellness Visit" (G0439) - $106.68
-- compared to: Level 5 OV (99215) - $139.16
The checklist for what is covered in these visits is lengthy, but much the same for all patients; ideal therefore for a template to aid documentation.
SO: Has anyone thought about or even written a template? How would it fit into an AC encounter (maybe an addendum?) When will the "G codes" above be added to AC?
