All about your Annual Wellness Visit

You can get a checkup every year with your primary care provider (PCP). It’s called an Annual Wellness Visit (AWV), and it’s covered at no additional charge. This important health care visit focuses on prevention. It can help you stay healthy by checking for problems early, when they are often easier to treat. 

Your PCP will discuss topics like:

• Health history
• Home safety
• Health and wellness goals

Here's how an Annual Wellness Visit works and how to prepare for your appointment.

What is an AWV?

Your Annual Wellness Visit is a chance to talk to your primary care provider all about your health. They’ll use this info to build a personal prevention plan for you. 
They will also take routine measurements like height, weight and blood pressure to get a clear picture of your current health. And they’ll build a personalized care plan based on your specific needs. You can also expect to receive:

• Preventive screenings. Your provider will review which age and risk-appropriate screenings you may need. These might include mammograms, bone density tests or blood work.
• Chronic condition management guidance. If you have ongoing health issues (like diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease), your provider can help you stay on track.
• A cognitive assessment. Your provider will check for signs of memory issues or dementia.
• A mental health review. You’ll have a chance to discuss your mood, stress and other emotional health concerns.
• Substance use guidance. Substance use includes alcohol, illegal drugs and the misuse of prescription or over-the-counter medicines. Your provider may discuss these with you and offer resources or referrals if needed.
• Height, weight and blood pressure measurements.
• A personalized care plan.

How do you prepare for an AWV?

To make the most of your Annual Wellness Visit, make sure you come prepared. Start by making a list of all the medicines you take, including:

• Prescriptions
• Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines
• Supplements

If it’s easier, you can even bring the prescription bottles with you. 

You should also bring a list of all the providers or specialists you see. This allows your PCP to coordinate care if needed and create a personalized care plan. 

Your AWV is also a great time to speak up for your health. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or bring up concerns. You know your body best — and your provider is there to help. Asking the right questions can help you stay healthy and feel more in control of your care. 

You have the support of a personal care team

Your Aetna care team is here to help you make the most of your plan. They can help you schedule appointments, develop a personalized care plan, understand your medications and more.

Meet your care team

Meet your care team

Here are some smart questions to ask during your visit: 

• Am I due for any preventive screenings, like a mammogram or colonoscopy?
• Are there ways I can lower my fall risk at home?
• What changes should I make to my diet or exercise routine?
• How can I manage side effects from my medicines?

Health care can be challenging to navigate on your own. Write down your questions ahead of time so you don’t forget them during your visit. If you need help getting an appointment or getting information on a billing issue, your Member Services team can join a call with you and your provider's office. They are available at 1-833-595-1008 (TTY: 711) from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday. Taking an active role in your health is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

How is an AWV different from other appointments?

The Annual Wellness Visit is a type of checkup that many people miss — often because they think it’s the same as an annual physical. But these two visits are different, and both are important for your health. 

The Annual Wellness Visit is all about prevention. An annual routine physical exam focuses on your current health. During a physical exam, your provider may check your heart, lungs and reflexes or do other hands-on tests. It allows your provider to look for current health problems.  

Think of the Annual Wellness Visit and the physical exam as partners. The physical looks at how your body is doing now. And the AWV helps you plan for the future. Having both can give you a full picture of your health. 

Call your Personal Care Team at 1-833-595-1008 (TTY: 711), 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM local time, Monday to Friday, to learn about all the ways you can get care today.

More way to get care

Your AWV is not the only way to get the care you need. There are other health resources available to help support you.

Healthy Home Visit (HHV). This added layer of care can help support your health needs alongside your primary care provider (PCP). You get one covered visit per year through Signify Health®. During the visit, a licensed provider will come to your home or connect with you online via telehealth. And after the visit, both you and your PCP will get a summary of the visit. To schedule your HHV, call the number on your member ID card.

Personal Care management team. As part of this program, a care manager can help you manage your chronic condition(s). They’ll work with you and your providers to support your health care needs. They can also help with:  

• Developing a personalized care plan with your doctor
• Coordinating visits to doctors  
• Helping you understand your medications  
• Accessing state benefits and other local resources  
• Supporting recovery after a hospital stay  
• Guiding members through advanced care 

24-Hour Nurse Line.* Sometimes you need a quick answer to a health question. With the 24-Hour Nurse Line, you can speak to a registered nurse about a variety of health topics, whenever you need to. And you can call as many times as you need, at no added cost to you.

*While only your doctor can diagnose, prescribe or give medical advice, the 24-Hour Nurse Line can provide information on a variety of health topics. 

Urgent care. A helpful option for a fever, nausea, fractures, stitches, rashes and other conditions that don’t require the emergency room (ER). Urgent care clinics usually have a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant on staff that can often diagnose and treat patients. 

MinuteClinic. The medical clinic inside select CVS pharmacy® stores offers convenient care seven days a week — including evenings and weekends. Providers can treat common health needs. And, when appropriate, they can write prescriptions so you can get care and medication in one place. Depending on your plan, services may be available at little or no added cost. If you don't live near a MinuteClinic location, check out other clinic options at places like Walmart, Walgreens, Costco or Sam's Club.

Telehealth. Virtual care, also called telehealth, is a fast and easy way to get care for cold and flu symptoms, urinary tract infections, prescription refills and more. You’re covered for telehealth visits with participating providers. Simply call your provider’s office to see if they offer virtual care, then make an appointment over the phone.

See Evidence of Coverage for a complete description of plan benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary by service area. This material is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Aetna and Signify Health are part of the CVS Health® family of companies. CVS Caremark® Mail Service Pharmacy, CVS Specialty® and Aetna® are part of the CVS Health® family of companies. Health information programs provide general health information and are not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a physician or other health care professional. Contact a health care professional with any questions or concerns about specific health care needs. Providers are independent contractors and are not agents of Aetna. Provider participation may change without notice. Aetna is not a provider of health care services and, therefore, cannot guarantee any results or outcomes. The availability of any particular provider cannot be guaranteed and is subject to change. Information is believed to be accurate as of the production date; however, it is subject to change. For more information about Aetna plans, refer to our website. The formulary and/or pharmacy network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary. Participating health care providers are independent contractors and are neither agents nor employees of Aetna. The availability of any particular provider cannot be guaranteed, and provider network composition is subject to change. The benefit(s) mentioned are part of of special supplemental benefits for the chronically ill (SSBCI). SSBCI conditions include certain cardiovascular disorders, congestive heart failure, and diabetes. Eligibility is determined by whether you have a chronic condition associated with the benefit(s). Standards and conditions vary for each benefit. Contact us to confirm the specific SSBCI condition requirements for the benefit(s) for this plan and determine your eligibility. 

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