Medicare's Annual Wellness Visit

Older adults who get a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit are more than four times as likely to be screened for depression as those who opt out of this free health benefit

Evidence is emerging that Annual Wellness Visits, the preventive health benefit for Medicare enrollees created by the Affordable Care Act, are achieving their intended purpose—linking people with preventive services. But not all demographic groups are gaining the benefits equally

Recent research shows that Medicare's Annual Wellness Visit appears to be achieving one of its key goals: providing a gateway for beneficial preventive and screening services

Many eligible Medicare enrollees do not take advantage of their annual wellness visit benefit, or even understand what it is.