Medicare Metrics: Overcoming Barriers to Increase Utilization of Annual Wellness Visits

Medicare Annual Wellness Visits (AWVs) are critical to preventive healthcare delivery. However, utilization remains suboptimal, with completion rates averaging 20% annually due to limited health literacy, misconceptions about coverage, and scheduling barriers. A literature review demonstrated the effectiveness of electronic health record (EHR)- based strategies in improving adherence, with research suggesting that portal reminders enhance completion rates. This quality improvement project aimed to conduct a secondary analysis and retrospective chart review to evaluate the impact of an EHR intervention implemented at a rural primary care practice to enhance AWV adherence. Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory and guided by the Rosswurm and Larrabee evidence-based practice model, the intervention utilized EHR patient tracking features and automated messaging to identify eligible beneficiaries, provide patient education, and streamline the scheduling process. The study employed a structured pre- and post-intervention chart audit approved by the Arizona State University Institutional Review Board and found that an EHR-based intervention led to an 81% increase in Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) completion without adding staff workload. The low-cost, scalable strategy effectively increased AWV rates, boosted revenue potential, and aligned with existing research on digital outreach. Limitations included challenges with retrieving consistent EHR data, limited access among patients not enrolled in the portal, and a lack of evaluation on how well patients understood their AWV benefits due to the intervention. Future efforts should assess patient literacy, satisfaction, and long-term health outcomes.