Efficacy of a Digital Intervention to Increase Annual Wellness Visit Scheduling Amid COVID-19 Backlog

Abstract

Background: The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is a preventive visit that is largely underutilized, a problem further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We implemented a digital outreach intervention to improve Annual Wellness Visit scheduling in our health system. Using a bulk outreach functionality in the electronic medical record, we sent a message to patients due for an Annual Wellness Visit and analyzed the efficacy of this message on scheduling rates while also assessing its impact by race.

Results: Patients who read the message were 40% more likely to schedule an Annual Wellness Visit (OR 1.42; 95% CI, 1.34 - 1.50) compared to those who did not read the message.

Discussion: After this intervention, Annual Wellness Visit scheduling rates increased by 50% for White patients and 325% for Black patients versus prepandemic rates in 2019.