Are you as healthy as you think you are?
Your no-cost in-home health assessment can bring peace of mind.
Is a Matrix in-home health assessment the same as an annual wellness visit?
Both appointments are important for keeping your health on track, but there are key differences between them. Find out how each one works — separately and together.
Your Medicare Advantage plan allows for two types of yearly health checkups. One is known as an annual wellness visit (AWV), which is a traditional appointment where you go to see a health care provider in their office. The other is a Matrix in-home health and wellness assessment. That’s when a clinician comes to your home for a longer visit and an in-depth discussion about how you’re doing.
It may be tempting to use your Matrix in-home health assessment as a replacement for your AWV, since you don’t have to travel anywhere. But you shouldn’t do that. The in-home visit is meant to complement your AWV, support the care you receive from your primary care provider, and help keep your health on track.
Find out more about how these two appointments differ — and why scheduling both is the best thing you can do for your health.
Have questions about your health? A Matrix in-home health and wellness assessment is a great time to get answers from a licensed clinician — plus, it’s part of your plan! Call 877-302-3672 877-302-3672 to schedule.
What is an annual wellness visit?
An annual wellness visit happens in your primary care provider’s office and focuses on preventive care and maintaining your health. During this appointment, your primary care provider will:
- Measure your height, weight, and blood pressure
- Review your medical and family history
- Go over your current medications
- Check for signs of memory loss or other cognitive problems
- Discuss risk factors for substance use disorders
- Share advice to help you stay healthy
While this may sound like it covers all the bases, an AWV isn’t designed to be a head-to-toe exam. The provider doesn’t physically examine you, and you may only see them for about 20 minutes. If you have any new health concerns, it’s better to make a separate appointment to specifically address them. The advice given in an AWV typically consists of general health recommendations.
What is a Matrix in-home health assessment?
A Matrix in-home health assessment is somewhat like an annual wellness visit, but it takes place in the comfort of your home. The appointment lasts up to an hour, which gives you more time to chat about your health concerns. During this type of home visit, the clinician, who is typically a nurse practitioner, does the following:
A physical exam. “In addition to checking basic measurements, reviewing your family medical history, and reviewing your medications, the clinician will ask about all of the bodily systems — such as the heart, lungs, ears, nose, and throat — including very specific questions”, explains Ashley Bannon, DNP, FNP-BC. She is a family nurse practitioner and the clinical manager of the Northeast region for Matrix Medical Network in Hope Valley, Rhode Island.
This, along with the other information they gather, helps them identify any new health issues and recommend treatment options.
Physical and mental health screenings. The clinician will perform tests to check for depression, high blood pressure (hypertension), memory problems, and other conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease. The screenings you receive will depend on your insurance plan and your risk factors. They can also find out if you’re due for other screenings, such as those for skin, breast, or colon cancer.
A medication review. The clinician will review every medicine you take, and, if necessary, explain what each one does and how it improves the health condition you take it for. They can also watch you use any medical devices, such as inhalers or blood glucose meters, and provide tips on how to use them more effectively.
A home fall-risk assessment. Every year, about 1 in 4 older adults fall, which can lead to hip fractures and other injuries. Your Matrix clinician can help reduce your risk by checking your balance. With your permission, they can also scan your home for hazards such as loose area rugs or dimly lit rooms. They can then discuss solutions with you to help keep you more steady on your feet.
Help you find local resources. Matrix clinicians use an electronic tablet during their in-home health assessment. That tablet has an app on it that allows them to find local resources such as food delivery programs or transportation to appointments. The clinician can also help you download the app to your computer, tablet, or phone so you can use it in the future.
Recommended reading: 5 health screenings you may get at a Matrix in-home health assessment
How does a Matrix in-home health assessment complement an annual wellness visit?
A Matrix in-home health assessment is a terrific follow-up to an AWV. The clinician can detect any health issues that may have popped up since that visit, help you better understand what your diagnoses mean, and inform you about how medications and lifestyle changes can help improve your health.
“An in-home health assessment enhances an annual wellness visit,” says Bannon. “We provide education to give you a fuller picture of your health.”
The screenings and questions during the in-home visit also help spot and treat problems before they become a bigger issue. For example, the clinician may see that a patient’s blood pressure is low, or the member may report that it’s been lower than usual lately. If that person takes any medications that lower blood pressure, the home clinician can inform the primary care provider (PCP), who may change the person’s prescriptions.
Recommended reading: 5 reasons a Matrix in-home health assessment is valuable (even if you're healthy)
Your primary care provider is in the loop
And that’s another key thing: What happens during the in-home health assessment is communicated to your PCP. After your visit, your PCP receives a full report, including a health summary, follow-up advice, and test results. This way, the two visits work together to help keep you healthy for as long as possible.
The home clinician also works with you to create a written list of things to address with your doctor the next time you have an AWV.
“This way you can advocate for yourself,” says Bannon. “You can feel like you’re helping and being part of your health care journey, rather than just having it happen to you.”
