For those eligible for Medicare Annual Wellness Visits, you know the routine! The assessment includes a comprehensive screening for depression, life satisfaction, stress, anger, loneliness, pain, or fatigue. It also covers essential health topics such as tobacco and alcohol use, physical activity levels, oral health, nutrition, sexual health, independent living abilities, and home/vehicle safety.

In addition to these, the visit assesses fall risks, cognitive impairments, and substance use disorders. It also includes the usual checks like height, weight, body mass index, blood pressure, and basic hearing tests. Medicare pays for this annual wellness visit, making it an invaluable opportunity for preventive care.

Now, an exciting bipartisan bill aims to enhance Medicare Annual Wellness Visits and fall prevention measures to save millions of dollars and, more importantly, prevent hospitalizations for older adults who experience falls.

The Stopping Addiction and Falls in the Elderly (SAFE) Act HR 7618 proposes that Occupational Therapists (OT) and Physical Therapists (PT) be permitted to administer fall risk assessments as part of the annual Medicare wellness visits. If the patient has experienced a fall in the past year, the bill would ensure a referral to OT and PT for fall screening and prevention services.

The primary goal of the bill is to reduce the number of emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and even fatalities caused by falls among older adults. What a novel approach to proactive healthcare! Kudos to the bipartisan legislators who introduced this life-saving bill!

Stay well and stay informed!