MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NovuHealth , the healthcare industry’s leading consumer engagement company, today released new data that show that Medicare and Medicaid members who get an annual wellness visit (AWV) are much more likely to perform other high-value healthcare activities, from flu shots to cancer screenings. In addition to long-standing benefits of AWVs, including early detection of chronic disease and stronger patient-provider relationships, this new evidence gleaned from NovuHealth member engagement programs indicates that AWVs can also lead to additional healthy activities by members that further augment their health.

"Our programs show that AWVs are an important gateway, leading to the completion of other activities by plan members," said Eileen Cianciolo, Chief Product Officer at NovuHealth. “However, less than a fifth of eligible Medicaid members receive an annual wellness visit, despite the fact that they’re covered by their health plans. The bottom line: AWVs can have a significant impact on the overall health of individuals, so it’s time for plans to recognize the benefits and encourage members to take action.”

The NovuHealth data indicate that when health plans make AWVs a central component of their member reward and engagement strategies, they see a significant lift in the completion of the AWVs as well as other high-value activities. This holds true across a wide variety of health conditions. For example:

  • Diabetes Care. A significant 78.8 percent of Medicare members who received an AWV took steps to control their blood sugar, versus just 14.7 percent of members who didn’t receive an AWV, a 5.3X increase. Among Medicaid members, 81.7 percent of those who received an AWV took action to manage their blood sugar, compared to 14.9 percent of those who did not have an AWV, a 5.5X increase.
  • Cancer Screenings. Among Medicare members, 38.9 percent of those who received an AWV also received a colorectal cancer screening. That number was just 9.0 percent for members who did not receive an AWV, or a 4.3X increase for those with AWVs. Meanwhile, 34.0 percent of Medicaid members who received an AWV also had cervical cancer screenings, compared to just 3.5 percent of those who went without an AWV, a 9.8X increase.
  • Blood Pressure . Some 74.3 percent of Medicare members who received an AWV took measures to control their blood pressure, as opposed to 12.6 percent of of those who didn’t receive an AWV, a 5.9X increase. Among Medicaid members, 86.0 percent of those who received an AWV took steps to control their blood pressure, versus only 9.6 percent of those who didn’t receive an AWV, a 9X increase.

Timing matters. NovuHealth results found that roughly 70 percent of Medicare members and 81 percent of Medicaid members complete their AWV before completing any other high-value healthcare activity, making the AWV an important gateway to other important healthcare activities.

Methodology NovuHealth's data include approximately 50,000 Medicaid members and 227,000 Medicare Advantage members who participated in their health plan’s rewards program and had an Annual Wellness Visit available to them. To learn more about how NovuHealth helps health plans engage and motivate members to complete the high-value activities that matter to member health and plan performance, visit novu.com .

About NovuHealth NovuHealth is the leading healthcare consumer engagement company, offering rewards and incentive programs that improve consumer health and plan performance. NovuHealth applies proven loyalty and data science strategies and leverages its deep industry and regulatory expertise to motivate high-value consumer activities. Headquartered in Minneapolis, NovuHealth has worked with nearly 40 health plans and served more than 15 million consumers across all 50 states. Learn more at novu.com .

Media Contact Anna Vaverka