Pharmacist-Led Annual Wellness Visits: A Review

Abstract

Objective: To summarize findings of pharmacist involvement with Medicare Annual Wellness Visits (AWV), including the number of pharmacist interventions, patient/provider satisfaction, and billing models. Data Sources: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect College Edition Journals Collection-Health and Life Sciences, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Medline, and Academic Search Complete, including dates between January 01, 2011, and November 05, 2018. Study Selection: Search was limited to full-text, peer-reviewed articles, published in English which were relevant based on identification of a pharmacist’s role in AWV. Search terms included “Medicare annual wellness visits” and “Pharmacists.” Data Extraction: A data extraction tool was used to collect study authors, year published, study design, description of intervention, objectives, primary outcome measures, model of care, clinic setting, location, results, number of patients, and overall effect. Results: Of the 139 returned citations, 11 met inclusion criteria. Of the practice settings, 7 (72.72%) utilized a collaborative practice agreement for conducting AWV. Six (54.54%) of the studies measured financial outcomes, 3 (27.27%) measured satisfaction of students/patients/physicians, 2 (18.18%) measured clinical outcomes, and finally 4 (36.36%) measured number and types of interventions. Review revealed that 6 (54.54%) articles had more medication-related interventions than nonmedication-related interventions. Studies evaluating finances as it relates to AWVs had various findings including 38% return on investment, higher reimbursement for pharmacist-led visits, and an increase in revenue. Conclusion: In a variety of outpatient health centers, AWV were conducted by pharmacists, had a positive impact on patient care, and had high satisfaction rates between patients and physicians.