The Power of Well-Child Visits: Your Guide for Ages 0-2
When it comes to giving children the healthiest possible start, well child visits in those critical first two years make a world of difference. These regular checkups aren’t just about growth charts and vaccine records—they’re an opportunity for families and providers to connect, identify concerns early, and keep kids’ development on track.
What Families and Providers Should Know
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends several well child visits in the first 24 months. Each visit is a chance to monitor growth, milestones, and overall health, while also answering any questions parents or guardians might have along the way. Regular screenings for hearing, vision, and immunizations help ensure no detail is overlooked. And, of course, keeping good records makes future care smoother for everyone involved.
Action Steps for Providers and Clinics
- Proactive Scheduling: Use electronic medical record (EMR) alerts to flag upcoming milestone ages—such as 15 or 30 months—and schedule those important visits in advance. Standing orders for well-child checkups at specific developmental intervals can help keep everyone on track.
- Outreach and Reminders: Automated texts, phone calls, or emails make it easy for families to remember upcoming appointments. Teaming up with health plans can also help identify and reach out to children due for care.
- Optimizing In-Clinic Workflow: Front-desk staff can check a child’s visit history and help schedule the next well child visit before families leave the office. Bundling services—such as immunizations and screenings—ensures each visit is as thorough as possible.
- Accurate Data and Coding: It’s important to use the correct Well Care Visit and Encounter for Well Care value sets when coding visits. Telehealth or lab-only visits don’t count toward the measure, so be sure to document accordingly.
- Provider Education: Clinicians benefit from understanding how HEDIS measures work and how their documentation impacts overall scores. Sharing performance dashboards by provider or clinic can help keep everyone engaged and accountable.
- Community Partnerships: Partnering with schools, daycare centers, and community organizations goes a long way toward raising awareness about the value of preventive care and keeping families informed.
It’s clear that a little planning and teamwork can make all the difference during a child’s early years. For more practical resources and tips, see the helpful links below.
Helpful Links
Premera Tip Sheets for WA: