Annual Wellness vs Physical Exam

Understanding the Annual Wellness Visit vs. Comprehensive Physical Exam

What is an Annual Wellness Visit (AWV)?
An Annual Wellness Visit is a preventive service covered by many insurance plans, and is designed to focus on overall health maintenance and future risk prevention rather than diagnosing or treating current medical conditions.

 

Key Components of an AWV:

  • Review of medical and family history
  • Update of current medications and providers
  • Screening for cognitive impairment
  • Assessment of risk factors (e.g., fall risk, depression, lifestyle habits)
  • Development or update of a personalized prevention plan (e.g. suggested lifestyle changes such as dietary and exercise guidelines)
  • Ordering recommended preventive screenings (e.g., cancer screenings, vaccines, labs)
     

Important Notes:

  • The AWV does NOT include a hands-on physical examination
  • No review of lab work, imaging, or procedures are included
  • No medication refills are included
  • No chronic care management of disease
  • The visit is focused on preventive planning, not addressing new or ongoing medical problems

What is a Comprehensive Physical Exam?
A Comprehensive Physical Exam (often referred to as an “annual physical”) is a more traditional visit that includes a head-to-toe physical evaluation by a provider.


  Key Components of a Physical Exam:

  • Full physical assessment (heart, lungs, abdomen, etc.)
  • Evaluation of current symptoms or concerns
  • Review of labs, imaging, or diagnostic tests
  • Management of chronic or new medical conditions
  • Medication refills

 

Important Notes:

  • This visit is often NOT fully covered by insurance plans, or may be subject to co-pays, deductibles, or coinsurance
  • If tests or procedures are done, additional charges may apply
  • In summary,


  • An AWV is not a substitute for a physical exam if a patient has specific health concerns.


  • If a patient requests evaluation of new symptoms during an AWV, the visit may be converted to a problem-focused visit, which could result in additional charges or the patient may be asked to reschedule a separate visit to address additional concerns.
     
  • Staff should ensure patients are scheduled appropriately based on their needs and clearly informed of these differences in advance.


  • We are committed to transparency, patient education, and providing the highest quality care. If there are any questions about which visit type is appropriate, our team is happy to assist prior to scheduling.