Patient Perceptions of Medicare Annual Wellness Visits: Findings from a Pilot Survey

Authors

• Payton McCready, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
• Amy Cunningham, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
• Susan Parks, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow

Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

2-11-2026

Academic Year

2025-2026

Comments

Presented at the 2026 Scholarly Inquiry (SI) Research Project Symposium.

Abstract

Purpose

Medicare Annual Wellness Visits (AWVs) were introduced in 2011 to promote preventive care among Medicare beneficiaries, yet patient satisfaction remains understudied. Participating in the  Age-Friendly Health Systems Initiative, Jefferson Health’s Center for Healthy Aging (CHA) is redesigning its AWVs to align with Age-Friendly principles. This study aimed to obtain baseline data on Medicare patients’ familiarity, experience, and satisfaction with AWVs in a geriatrics practice before implementing the redesigned model.

Methods

This cross-sectional survey was conducted in July 2025 at Jefferson Health’s CHA, a geriatrics practice serving about 2,000 Medicare patients. Eligible participants were Medicare-enrolled CHA patients. An eight-item survey assessed familiarity with AWVs, perceived importance of physician involvement, satisfaction with visit length, information received, and topics discussed. Patients were also asked whether they made changes or followed recommendations after their AWV and to rate overall satisfaction. Surveys were distributed through Epic MyChart, and descriptive statistics were generated.

Results and Conclusions

A total of 467 patients (23.4%) responded. Seventy-two percent were familiar with Medicare AWVs, and 65% had completed one. Among those with previous AWVs, 68% viewed physician involvement as important or very important. Most respondents were satisfied with visit length (70%), information provided (73%), and issues discussed (76%). Sixty percent reported making changes or following recommendations after the visit, and 74% were satisfied overall. These findings indicate high baseline satisfaction with AWVs in this geriatrics population, though the response rate may limit generalizability. A follow-up survey in Summer 2026 will assess changes after implementation of Age-Friendly AWVs.

Recommended Citation

McCready, Payton; Cunningham, Amy; and Parks, Susan, "Patient Perceptions of Medicare Annual Wellness Visits: Findings from a Pilot Survey" (2026). Phase 1. Paper 2.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/si_me_2028_phase1/2

Language

English