​Well-Child Visits in the Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Years of Life

Measure Definition

The Well-Child Visits in the Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Years of Life measure calculates the percentage of members three to six years of age as of December 31 of the measurement year who received one or more well-child visits with a PCP during the measurement year.

Importance

Children in preschool and early school years benefit from well-child visits to obtain early detection of vision, speech, or language problems. These visits are also important for

• Assessing school readiness
• Completing preschool immunization
• Reinforcing accident and injury prevention
• Educating about appropriate weight

In addition to performing preventive services, well-child visits foster communication between parents and doctors. This allows doctors to offer guidance and counseling on a variety of health care topics, including safety, nutrition, normal development, and general health care. Children with poorer health status are more likely to not receive recommended well-child visits since these children tend to use more acute or specialty care. Furthermore, there is evidence that timely preventive care in children has a positive impact on overall health care utilization. Researchers have found associations between increased well-child visits and reductions in avoidable hospitalizations, reductions in emergency department use, and improved child health.

To see how Managed Care reported on Well-Child Visits Third through Sixth Years of Life, click here.

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