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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesAnnual Wellness Exam

Annual Wellness Exam

ICD-10 Coding for Annual Wellness Exam(G0438, G0439)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYPrimary Care
COMPLEXITYHigh
LAST UPDATED09/15/2025
Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Annual Wellness Exam?
Essential facts and insights about Annual Wellness Exam

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • No specific clinical signs and symptoms are required for the Annual Wellness Exam as it is a preventive service.
  • Laboratory findings or diagnostic test results are not typically required for the Annual Wellness Exam, but may include screenings for conditions such as diabetes or high cholesterol.
  • Physical examination findings may include a review of the patient's medical history, risk factors, and a comprehensive physical assessment.
  • Imaging or procedural findings are not applicable for the Annual Wellness Exam, as it focuses on preventive care and health risk assessments.
  • Severity criteria or staging information is not applicable as the Annual Wellness Exam is not a diagnostic procedure but a preventive service.

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Essential medical record documentation requirements include a comprehensive health risk assessment and a written plan for preventive services.
  • Specific terminology that must be documented includes 'Annual Wellness Visit', 'health risk assessment', and 'preventive services plan'.
  • Documentation examples for compliant coding include notes on patient history, risk factors, and any referrals made during the visit.
  • Medical necessity documentation requirements include justification for the Annual Wellness Exam based on the patient's age and health status.
  • Quality measure documentation needs may include tracking of preventive services offered and patient follow-up plans.

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Use G0438 for the initial Annual Wellness Exam and G0439 for subsequent exams in the same calendar year.
  • Do not use these codes for routine physical exams or visits that do not meet the criteria for an Annual Wellness Exam.
  • Similar codes include G0402 (Initial Preventive Physical Examination), which is distinct from the Annual Wellness Exam.
  • Common coding errors include using G0438 or G0439 for visits that are not preventive in nature; ensure the visit is documented as an Annual Wellness Exam.
  • Guidelines for code selection in complex cases include verifying that the visit meets all criteria for an Annual Wellness Exam and documenting any additional services provided.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Specific conditions explicitly excluded include acute illnesses or injuries that require treatment rather than preventive care.
  • Alternative codes to use for excluded conditions may include specific diagnosis codes for acute conditions treated during the visit.
  • Rationale for why conditions are excluded is based on the nature of the Annual Wellness Exam being preventive rather than diagnostic.
  • Common exclusion mistakes to avoid include misclassifying an Annual Wellness Exam as a routine physical exam.
  • Related but distinct conditions include chronic disease management visits, which are coded differently.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
Z00.00
Encounter for general adult medical examination without abnormal findings
Z00.01
Encounter for general adult medical examination with abnormal findings
Ancillary Codes
1124F
3008F
Differential Codes
G0439
G0439
for subsequent visits after the initial AWV.
G0438
G0438
for the first AWV after Medicare enrollment.

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Primary Care

Specialty Applications

  • Specific medical conditions this applies to include preventive health assessments for adults aged 65 and older.
  • Patient populations include Medicare beneficiaries, typically aged 65 and older, and those at risk for chronic diseases.
  • Clinical settings include outpatient primary care settings where preventive services are provided.
  • Specialty-specific applications may include family medicine and geriatrics, focusing on preventive care.
  • Treatment contexts where this diagnosis is used include routine health maintenance and preventive care planning.

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

  • Comprehensive clinical documentation
  • Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
  • Proper exclusion considerations
  • Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Template 1

Template: 'Patient diagnosed with [condition] based on [clinical findings]'

Template 2

Template: 'Clinical presentation consistent with [diagnosis] including [symptoms]'

Template 3

Template: 'Health risk assessment completed with findings indicating need for [specific preventive services]'

Template 4

Template: 'Treatment plan initiated for preventive care including [interventions]'

Template 5

Template: 'Follow-up care for preventive services including [monitoring parameters]'

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

  • Ensure proper documentation for billing
  • Verify code specificity requirements
  • Check for any additional codes needed
  • Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

  • Insufficient clinical documentation
  • Incorrect code selection
  • Missing supporting diagnoses
  • Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What documentation is required for this diagnosis?

Documentation must include a health risk assessment, patient history, and a preventive services plan.

How does this differ from similar diagnoses?

The Annual Wellness Exam focuses on preventive care rather than diagnosing or treating specific conditions.

What are common billing considerations?

Ensure the visit is documented as an Annual Wellness Exam to optimize reimbursement and avoid denials.

What procedures are typically associated?

Related CPT codes may include screenings for cholesterol, diabetes, and other preventive services.

Are there any quality reporting implications?

Quality measures may include tracking the delivery of preventive services and patient follow-up.