What is the CPT code for annual wellness visit?

Asked by: Mr. Jerald Ruecker  |  Last update: August 30, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (30 votes)

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 is the ICD 10 code for annual wellness visit?

No specific diagnosis is required for the Annual Wellness Visit, but Z00. 00 or Z00. 01 is appropriate for the Annual Routine Physical Exam. A Depression Screening (G0444) is a required component within the initial Annual Wellness Visit (G0438) and should not be billed separately.

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 CPT code 99395 used for?

99395 – Preventive Service, est patient 18-39 years (Primary DX – Z00. 0 - annual exam)

What is the difference between AWV and annual physical?

While a physical includes a full examination and a wellness evaluation, an Annual Wellness Visits focuses solely on a patient's answers to a health risk assessment. It does not typically include any lab work or tests requiring physical contact.

Annual Wellness Visits (AWV): CPT Codes, Billing and Reimbursements

37 related questions found

What is the CPT code for Medicare annual wellness visit?

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.

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 is the CPT code 99396 for annual wellness visit?

CPT code 99396 refers to a preventive medicine evaluation and management (E/M) service for patients aged 65 years or older. It involves a comprehensive annual wellness visit (AWV), including personalized preventive medicine planning.

What is the difference between 99396 and 99395?

adolescent (age 12 through 17 years) 99395 …18-39 years. 99396 … 40-64 years.

What is CPT code 96127?

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.

What is an annual wellness visit?

The Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) is a yearly appointment with your primary care provider (PCP) to create or update a personalized prevention plan. This plan may help prevent illness based on your current health and risk factors.

What is the CPT code for an annual physical exam?

AWV CPT Codes to Know: G0402, G0438, G0439

There are three types of wellness visits: Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE), an Initial Annual Wellness Visit, and the Subsequent Annual Wellness Visit. Each entails a different billing code as well as specific qualifiers for each program.

What is not included in a wellness visit?

Your insurance for your annual wellness visit does not cover any discussion, treatment or prescription of medications for chronic illnesses or conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. In this instance as well, you will be charged a copay and/or a deductible.

Does Medicare pay for an annual wellness visit?

AWVs are fully covered by Medicare. Once a patient has been enrolled in Medicare Part B for over a year, they are eligible to receive an AWV once every twelve months. If they've been enrolled in Medicare for less than a year, they can receive a “Welcome to Medicare” visit instead.

What is the HCPCS code for annual wellness visit?

G0438 is the HCPCS code you should use when coding a patient's first annual wellness visit. Its long descriptor is "Annual wellness visit, includes a personalized prevention plan of service (PPPS), first visit," while its short descriptor is "Annual wellness first."

Is preventive care the same as annual wellness visit?

You schedule preventive visits which are annual physicals, well child exams and wellness exams to help prevent or detect any health concerns. This is also known as your annual wellness exam or annual health maintenance exam.

What is the CPT code for wellness exam by age?

Adults (Ages 40-64)

Between the ages of 40 and 64, preventive services expand to include screenings and assessments aligned with age-specific risks. CPT codes 99386 (new patients) and 99396 (established patients) are appropriate for this group.

Can you bill 99397 and G0439 same year?

These codes must be used for these services for Medicare beneficiaries. CPT codes 99381-99397 for comprehensive preventive medicine evaluation and management services should not be used to bill for Medicare services covered by HCPCS codes G0402, G0438 and G0439.

How do you code an annual wellness visit?

What Is the CPT Code for Annual Wellness Visits?
  1. G0402: This code applies to the Welcome to Medicare visit — also referred to as an Initial Preventive Physical Exam (IPPE). ...
  2. G0438: After 12 months of being enrolled in Medicare, a patient becomes eligible for their initial Annual Wellness Visit.

What is CPT code 99395 preventive visit?

The 99395 CPT code is used to describe a preventive (well-patient) outpatient office visit for an established patient between the ages of 18 and 39.

Can you bill 99213 and 99396 together?

In this case, you may submit codes for both a preventive service (such as 99396) and a regular office visit (such as 99213) by attaching -25 to the office-visit code.

What is the difference between an annual physical and a wellness exam?

What's the difference between the two appointments? Physical exams and wellness visits can seem different names for the same process, but there is a distinction. Wellness visits usually lack the core aspects of a thorough physical, opting instead just for basic vitals such as height, weight, and blood pressure.

What is the ICD-10 code for Medicare annual wellness visit?

Billing for a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit: Codes G0438 and G0439.

Do Medicare wellness visits need to be 365 days apart?

Visits must be at least 11 months apart

“In order for Medicare to pay for annual wellness visits, at least 11 full months must have elapsed,” Dr. Candler said. “What the annual wellness visit does is it combines all the recommendations that doctors and other scientists have for how to stay healthy.