Now Offering Behavioral Health Wellness Exams

 

At Pediatric Associates of Norwood & Franklin, we are committed to supporting the well-being of your child in every way. As part of a new Massachusetts initiative, Behavioral Health Wellness Exams (BHWE) are now available to help promote emotional and developmental health. Starting April 1, 2024, these visits are covered by your insurance with no out-of-pocket cost for plans offered through Massachusetts providers such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, and MassHealth.If you are insured through a national or out-of-state plan, we encourage you to contact your insurance provider to confirm coverage and any potential costs.

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What is a Behavioral Health Wellness Exam (BHWE)?

 

A BHWE is a focused visit designed to assess emotional well-being, development, and behavioral health. There are no age restrictions, and the exam can be performed by your primary care physician (PCP), nurse practitioner, or behavioral health provider.While we may sometimes combine a BHWE with your child’s annual well visit or medication follow-up, these visits often require dedicated time. Therefore, we encourage families to schedule additional BHWE appointments as needed—whether to address specific concerns or simply as a routine check-in for your child’s emotional health and development.•For young children, the focus may be on developmental milestones and social interaction.•For teens and older children, discussions may center around school performance, family dynamics, social media influences, and emotional well-being.The outcome could be that there are no concerns, or it may lead to follow-ups or further evaluation to address any identified needs. These exams can be scheduled once a year as a preventive check.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Why is a BHWE important?

 

With the increasing pressures of school, social activities, family dynamics, online interactions, and exposure to substances, regular check-ins with a healthcare provider are more valuable than ever. A BHWE offers a proactive way to identify emotional, behavioral, or developmental concerns early on—before they become more complex challenges. These visits allow us to provide screening tools, resources, and support that help children and families thrive. Even if no immediate concerns arise, a BHWE offers peace of mind and serves as an essential tool in monitoring your child’s mental wellness over time.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________How to Schedule a BHWE

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You can schedule a Behavioral Health Wellness Exam by: Calling Norwood at (781) 769-4090, Calling Franklin at (508) 528-5404 or by submitting an appointment request through Patient Gateway. Appointments are available with your PCP or one of our nurse practitioners. If you are covered by a national or out-of-state plan, please confirm with your insurance provider whether the BHWE is a covered service.

 

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Feedback and Updates

 

Since BHWE is a new service, we are actively learning and refining our process. Your feedback is incredibly important to us, and we welcome your thoughts on how to improve this experience.At Pediatric Associates of Norwood & Franklin, our goal is to partner with families to ensure the best possible care for your children. We are excited to offer this additional resource and look forward to supporting your child’s emotional and developmental journey.