Skip to main content
Shop Plans Learn more about our coverage options including health, Medicare, dental and vision options for you, your family or your employees. Get Started Individual & Family Medicare Employer Vision Dental International Travel Find Care FAQ Blog Members Stay on top of your health care with helpful member resources. Members Home Medicare Health Dental Vision Find Care Member Knowledge Center Member Forms Medicare Forms Library Make a Payment Federal Employees Student Blue Healthy Blue Providers Access tools, policies and the latest information to help you care for our members. Providers Home Network Participation Networks & Programs Claims, Appeals & Inquiries Prior Authorization Services & CPT codes Prescription Drug Search Policies, Guidelines & Codes Provider News Provider FAQ Contact Us Employers Learn about our coverage options for small and large employers, and access tools and resources for your group. Employers Home Shop Employer Plans Employer Portal Support Member Forms & Resources Find Care Blog Agents Access the tools you need: rate quotes, applications, forms, the latest industry news, marketing materials and more. Agents Home Agent Services Check Eligibility Find Care Member Forms & Resources Medicare Forms Library
Contact Us
Log In
I am ... Please select A member A provider An employer An agent
Log in to Agent Services
Log in to Employer Services Register for Employer Services I'm registered but need portal access
Username Forgot username? Continue to Log In Register for Blue Connect Need help? Learn how to log in.
Log in to Blue e Register for Blue e Log in to Dental Blue
Back
Benefit Change for Medicare Advantage Annual Wellness Visits February 25, 2021 Medical Policy & Clinical Guidelines Blue Medicare

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) has changed the benefit for payment of the Medicare Advantage Annual Wellness Visit from once every 12 months to once per benefit year. This reconfiguration took effect January 1, 2021 and will remain in place until further notice.  

Key Details

As a result of this change, providers can now schedule Annual Wellness Visits without the previous 12-month timing limitation, which was complicated by delayed scheduling in 2020 due to COVID-19. 

  • This update only applies to Medicare Advantage (MA) plans offered and administered by Blue Cross NC, meaning provider offices can begin scheduling Annual Wellness Visits for their Blue Medicare patients for 2021, regardless of the timing of the member’s 2020 Annual Wellness Visit appointments. 
  • Additionally, both in-network, out-of-network and Blue Premier providers (including health systems and independent primary care providers) are impacted by this change. 
  • Please note, the change is applicable to Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) and Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) only. It is not applicable to Prescription Drug Plans (PDP). 

This update is for informational purposes only.