Driving immunization through the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit: A growing opportunity.

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Driving immunization through the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit: A growing opportunity.

Vaccine. 2017 Oct 28;:

Authors: Shen AK, Warnock R, Kelman JA

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) is a Medicare benefit designed to help prevent disease and disability based on individualized health and risk factors.
METHODS: This study analyzes Medicare Part B fee-for-service claims from 2011 to 2016 to assess AWV and seasonal influenza and pneumococcal conjugate vaccinations utilization over time.
RESULTS: Utilization of the AWV has increased from 8% of Medicare beneficiaries in 2011 to 19% in 2015. In each year, influenza and PCV13 vaccination rates are higher among those who utilize the benefit. More than one-third (33%) of patients who had an AWV in 2015 received a PCV13 vaccination in that same year, compared to 14% of those who did not. Similarly, the seasonal influenza vaccination rate was 64% among those with an AWV and 44% among those without.
CONCLUSION: The AWV demonstrates promise for improving immunization rates among Medicare beneficiaries particularly at the point of care.

PMID: 29089193 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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