Health Economic Analysis of Pharmacist-Led Annual Wellness Visits

Abstract

Objective To quantify the financial and clinical implications of pharmacists completing Medicare Annual Wellness Visits (AWV). Design Retrospective, observational, population-based health economic analysis utilizing electronic medical record data. Setting A single family-practice clinic within a Missouri-based not-for-profit community health system. Patients/Participants Medicare patients in their second year of coverage who had not been seen for an AWV within the previous 12 months. Intervention Patients attended a subsequent AWV conducted by a licensed ambulatory care pharmacist between July 1 and December 31, 2021. The pharmacist completed all necessary visit requirements and helped facilitate completion of preventive screenings. Main Outcome Measures Primary outcomes measured were financial implications of pharmacists completing AWVs. The primary objective was to quantify the direct and indirect financial benefits for a health system incorporating pharmacist-led AWVs. Direct revenue was calculated based on the number of visits completed multiplied by the reimbursement rate paid to the health care system by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Indirect revenue was estimated based on the number and type of interventions completed by the patient. The secondary outcome measured was the clinical impact of pharmacist-led AWVs through quantifying preventive care service needs and completion of these services. Alongside these measures, the number of medication discrepancies and drug interactions were also measured and cost avoidance estimated. Annual cost in salary of a pharmacist was considered, but additional cost of overhead was beyond the scope of the study. Results Thirty-nine AWVs were completed. Two hundred six recommended screenings, labs, and immunizations were identified, of which 24% were completed. The pharmacists were also able to identify 205 medication issues. These visits generated $4,593.42 in direct revenue. Recommended preventive care generated $2,161.71 in indirect revenue. Conclusion Pharmacist-led AWVs are financially beneficial to the health care system and increases the number of completed AWVs while avoiding demand for additional physician time.