Annual Wellness Visits
Annual wellness visits can help spot emerging conditions early.
The Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) is a yearly appointment with your primary care provider (PCP) to create or update a personalized prevention plan. This plan may help prevent illness based on your current health and risk factors. Keep in mind that the AWV is not a head-to-toe physical.
During your annual wellness visit, the physician will check your height, weight, blood pressure, lab work, and other routine measurements, as well as give a health risk assessment.
What Might be part of the health risk assessment?
Health Questionnaire
Before or during your visit, you may be asked to complete a questionnaire. The questionnaire asks about your health status, injury risks, behavioral risks, and urgent health needs.
Mental Health Screening
Patients will be screened for:
- Cognitive impairment (including diseases such as Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia)
- Depression
Health Advice & Referrals
Physicians may provide health advice and referrals to health education and/or preventive counseling services aimed at reducing identified risk factors and promoting wellness.
Health Counseling
Health education and preventive counseling may relate to weight loss, physical activity, smoking cessation, fall prevention, nutrition, and more.
