Child and Adolescent Well-Care Visits (WCV)

This measure assesses the percentage of members 3–21 years of age who had at least one comprehensive well-care visit with a PCP or an OB/GYN practitioner during the measurement year.

Why It Matters?

This measure is based on the American Academy of Pediatrics Bright Futures guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children and Adolescents.¹ In addition to the Bright Futures Guidelines, the AAP publishes a recommended schedule of screenings and assessments, known as the periodicity schedule, that outlines what to do at every visit, from infancy to adolescence.² Bright Futures recommends more frequent well-child visits in the first years of life and one or more well-child visits from age 3–21. They recommend that the well-child visits include, but are not limited to, an initial/interval medical history, physical exam, developmental assessment, immunization and anticipatory guidance.

The AAP/Bright Futures guidelines recommend annual well-child visits for children 3–11 years old. Well-child visits during the preschool and early school years are particularly important. A child can be helped through early detection of vision, speech and language problems. Intervention can improve communication skills and avoid or reduce language and learning problems.

The AAP/Bright Futures guidelines recommend annual visits for adolescents 12–21 years old. Given that the period of adolescence is marked by puberty and changes in physical appearance and psychological maturity, it is recommended that clinicians focus on concerns of the adolescent and the parent(s), and address social determinants of health, physical growth and development, emotional well-being, risk reduction (pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, tobacco, e-cigarettes, alcohol) and safety (seat belt and helmet use, sun protection, substance use, firearm safety) over the course of multiple visits.

Historical Results – National Averages