What are the different types of AWV?

Asked by: Ryder Skiles  |  Last update: October 20, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (33 votes)

Learn Differences between the Three Types of Medicare Wellness Visits
  • Initial Preventive Physical Exam (IPPE)
  • Initial Annual Wellness Visit (AWV)
  • Subsequent AWVs.

What is the difference between G0439 and 99397?

A full physical exam, 99397, is different than an Annual Wellness Visit, G0438/G0439, or “Welcome to Medicare Exam”, G0402. A full physical 99397 or 99387 is NOT covered by Medicare and patients are responsible for the cost and can be billed.

What is the difference between initial and subsequent AWV?

G0438 is for the first AWV, and G0439 is for subsequent AWVs. Don't bill G0438 or G0439 within 12 months of a previous G0402 (IPPE) billing for the same patient. We deny these claims with messages indicating the patient reached the benefit maximum for the time period.

What is the difference between G0403 and G0405?

G0403 – Electrocardiogram (ECG) performed as a screening for the IPPE (with interpretation and report) G0404 – ECG performed as a screening for the IPPE (tracing only without interpretation and report) G0405 – ECG performed as a screening for the IPPE (interpretation and report only)

What is the difference between G0438 and G0402?

Q - Is the IPPE the same as the initial AWV? A - No, the IPPE is the Initial Preventive Physical Examination, also known as the "Welcome to Medicare" visit (G0402), while the initial AWV (G0438) is the patient's first Medicare AWV following the IPPE.

What are Medicare's Rules and Requirements for Annual Wellness Visits (AWV)?

32 related questions found

What are the three types of Medicare wellness visits?

There are three types of visits:
  • Initial Preventive Physical Exam (IPPE)
  • Initial Annual Wellness Visit (AWV)
  • Subsequent AWVs.

What diagnosis should be used with G0444?

Annual Depression Screening: HCPCS Code G0444.

What is included in G0402?

Coding procedure code G0402: Initial Preventive Physical Examination; face-to-face visit, services limited to a new patient during the first 12 months of Medicare enrollment.

What is the difference between a EKG and Aecg?

Official answer. There is no difference between an ECG and an EKG. ECG stands for electrocardiogram, and EKG is the German spelling for elektrokardiographie, which is the word electrocardiogram translated into the German language. An ECG (EKG) is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart.

Can Z00 00 be a primary diagnosis?

Primary Diagnosis Requirement: While Z00. 00 is typically reported as the primary diagnosis, it should not be the sole code listed. Including other relevant diagnosis codes provides a more comprehensive picture of the patient's condition.

What are possible AWV codes?

AWV Coding. The CPT codes for Annual Wellness Visits are G0438 for the initial visit and G0439 for subsequent visits. These codes are used to bill Medicare for comprehensive wellness assessments and personalized prevention plans. It is important to remember that code G0438 is for the first AWV only.

What are the three words to remember for a Medicare wellness exam?

Word recollection (Banana, Sunrise, Chair) Have patient repeat the 3 words, tell them to remember them.

Can you bill an AWV and E&M together?

The CMS website states “When you provide an annual wellness visit and a significant, separately identifiable, medically necessary Evaluation and Management (E/M) service, Medicare may pay the additional service. Report the additional CPT code with Modifier-25.

Does an AWV have to be 12 months apart?

Medicare provides coverage of an Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) for a beneficiary who is no longer within 12 months after the effective date of his or her first Medicare Part B coverage period and who has not received either an Initial Preventive Physical Exam (IPPE) or an AWV within the past 12 months.

What is the 33 modifier used for?

Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) modifier 33 can be used when billing for ACA-designated preventive services with a commercial payer. The addition of modifier 33 communicates to a commercial payer that a given service was provided as an ACA preventive service.

What is a gy modifier?

GY modifier is added to claims in which the item or service is statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any Medicare benefit. Correct Use. Append when services are provided under statutory exclusion from Medicare Program. It is not necessary to provide patient with an ABN for these situations.

What are the 3 types of EKGs?

The three major types of ECG are:
  • resting ECG – you lie down for this type of ECG. ...
  • ambulatory ECG – for an ambulatory ECG you wear a portable recording device for at least 24 hours. ...
  • exercise stress test/stress test – this type of ECG helps your doctor see how well your heart is working during physical activity.

How much does an echo cost with insurance?

Insurance: Depending on your insurance status, your out-of-pocket cost for an echocardiogram may vary. In most cases, insurance will cover 10-50% of an echocardiogram. However, depending on the variables detailed below, this could still leave you a co-pay cost of $1,000+.

Why a patient may be placed on a Holter monitor?

To identify irregular heartbeats or palpitations. To assess your risk for future heart-related events in certain conditions. These conditions can include thickened heart walls (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) after a heart attack that caused weakness of the left side of the heart.

Can you bill 99214 and G0439 together?

Medicare does discourage this and says there is too much 'crossover' between these two preventive services. We usually see a 99213 or 99214 with a G0438 or G0439 to represent the problem management outside the AWV. If you bill G0438/G0439 and a 99397, recognize that Medicare does not cover the 99397.

What type of code is 99211?

Code 99211 is commonly used for services such as patient education, simple rechecks and medication reviews. Some procedures can also appropriately be reported with this code.

What is G0463?

Hospital outpatient clinic visit for assessment and management of a patient.

What is modifier 59 in medical billing?

The CPT Manual defines modifier 59 as: “Distinct Procedural Service: Under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a. procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-E/M (Evaluation/Management) services.

Can you bill G0444 and G0439 together?

Additional AWV HCPCS and CPT Codes

For example, HCPCS G0444, which designates a 15-minute annual depression screening, may only be included with subsequent wellness visits billed under G0439. If that specific code is used with the IPPE or initial AWV, it will be rejected as invalid.

What is 96127?

CPT Code 96127 – Brief Behavioral Assessment. CPT Code 96127 may be used to report behavioral assessments in children and adolescents. CPT code description (AMA published) definition: Brief emotional/behavioral assessment with scoring and documentation, per standardized instrument.