From Screening to Prevention: Bringing Annual Behavioral Health Wellness Exams into Primary Care Workflows

Annual Behavioral Health Wellness Exams are emerging as a tool for early identification, prevention, and whole-person care; however, many clinics struggle to operationalize them in day-to-day workflows. This webinar, hosted by the Center for Integrated Primary Care, provides a practical, systems-focused guide for integrated behavioral health and primary care teams on how to incorporate annual behavioral health wellness exams into routine practice without adding unnecessary burden. Presenters will explore effective models for team roles, scheduling pathways, documentation workflows, and patient engagement strategies. Participants will learn how these visits can strengthen early intervention, enhance preventive care, and improve population-level outcomes. This session will provide actionable strategies and ready-to-use tools to support the implementation of Annual Behavioral Health Wellness Exams.

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the purpose and core components of an Annual Behavioral Health Wellness Exam within an integrated primary care model.
2. Identify workflow strategies for embedding BH wellness visits into daily practice using existing team roles and resources.
3. Explain how annual behavioral health exams support prevention and early intervention, including pathways for stepped care or follow-up.
4. Develop a clinic-specific implementation plan for scheduling, documentation, billing considerations (if applicable), and communication with patients.
5. Use patient-friendly language to introduce and normalize annual behavioral health wellness visits as part of routine preventive care.