NPP Report: Wellness visits seen as ‘patient data and education visit,’ NPPs have major role

Why This Topic Matters

It helps practices understand the operational and staffing implications of Medicare wellness visit requirements and how those visits fit into billing and care-delivery workflows.

Article Sections

1. New revenue

   Introduces the article’s perspective on annual wellness visits as a patient data and education encounter. Frames why staffing and workflow design matter for practices.

2. A new take on confusing AWVs

   Explains the general shift in how annual wellness visits are viewed and the broader role of non-physician practitioners. Discusses the data-gathering and education focus of the visit.

3. Sample workflow for leveraging NPPs and staff

   Outlines a workflow approach for managing patient expectations, collecting information, completing health risk assessments, and involving clinical staff. Covers operational roles across front desk, non-clinical staff, and NPPs.

4. Use front desk to manage patient expectations early on.

   Describes the front-desk role in setting expectations before the visit and preparing patients for a preventive care encounter. Addresses communication about unrelated concerns that may arise during the visit.

5. Have non-clinical staff gather data and ensure HRAs are completed.

   Focuses on how non-clinical staff can assist with collecting and checking patient-reported information. Covers the health risk assessment as part of the visit workflow.

6. Use NPPs to carry out the clinical aspects of visit.

   Addresses the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants in the clinical portions of the wellness visit. Connects this role to the broader prevention-planning process.

7. Physicians still provide supervision.

   Summarizes the physician supervision component of the workflow and the relationship between supervision and billing. Places the clinical visit within a supervised practice structure.

8. Bottom line

   Wraps up the article with a brief operational takeaway about the overall complexity of the annual wellness visit. Reinforces the staffing implications for practices.