Annual Wellness Visits: 2012 Fee Schedule Boosts AWV Pay, Adds 'Health Risk Assessment' Tool Criteria

Why This Topic Matters

Annual wellness visit billing and documentation requirements can affect reimbursement and workflow for Medicare practices. Understanding the CMS update helps coding and billing teams stay current with AWV policy changes and related assessment guidance.

Article Sections

1. Health Risk Assessment Guidance and CMS Context

   This section introduces the AWV framework and the role of health risk assessment guidance in Medicare wellness visits. It also references related CDC material and CMS commentary on beneficiary assessment tools.

2. Fee Schedule Update and RVU Changes

   This section describes the 2012 payment update affecting annual wellness visits and discusses the revised valuation for the AWV service codes. It also notes staffing-time considerations mentioned in the rulemaking context.

3. Health Risk Assessment in the AWV Workflow

   This section discusses how CMS described the assessment as part of the wellness visit workflow and its relationship to a personalized prevention plan. It also addresses follow-up planning when additional issues are identified during the visit.