What is considered preventive care for health insurance

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2. Health and wellness
3. Preventive care

• Preventive care
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  • Preventive care tips
  • Know your numbers health tips

Preventive care

A yearly wellness exam is a good way to make sure everything checks out

Is it time to schedule your yearly checkup? Checking in on your health and getting recommended preventive care may help paint a more accurate picture of your overall health. That's one of the many reasons preventive care is important.

When you schedule your wellness exam with a network provider, your visit may come at no added cost.1 Before you schedule your exam, double-check that you're choosing a network provider.

Get a preventive care checklist

Wondering what to expect at your appointment? Use the form below to see a checklist of common tests and screenings for your age and gender.

Are you ready for your wellness exam?

While guidelines will be different for each person, there are a few typical assessments and screenings that are common at most exams. Here's what you might expect at your annual wellness visit.

Guidelines for what to expect at wellness exams

• Annual flu vaccine
  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s the best way to protect you and your family from the flu.1
• Body mass index (BMI) assessment
  Your BMI is an estimate of your body fat based on your height and weight. It provides a quick way to learn if you are at a healthy weight.2
• Blood pressure screening
  Keeping your blood pressure in check is an important part of maintaining good health.3
• Cancer Screenings for adults
  Breast, colorectal, cervical, lung, and certain other screenings.

You should discuss newborn screenings and vaccines with your baby's physician, especially if your baby was not born in a hospital.

The flu and other vaccines are recommended for children and adults.  For updated information on the vaccine schedules, see CDC Immunization Schedules.

What’s the difference between preventive and diagnostic care?

Preventive Care

Preventive care includes routine well exams, screenings, and immunizations intended to prevent or avoid illness or other health problems.

Preventive care is usually covered by most health plans with $0 out-of-pocket when you see a network provider.

Diagnostic Care

Diagnostic care includes care or treatment when you have symptoms or risk factors and your doctor wants to diagnose them.

Diagnostic care could have additional costs, depending on your plan coverage. Check your plan documents for details.

Checklists to take on medical visits

Consider using these checklists to help you prepare for your next doctor visit.

Be ready for your checkup with these essentials and practical pointers

• My health plan ID card. You’ll need this to check in at your appointment, so don’t leave home without it. Also bring along photo ID, such as a driver’s license.

• A list of all the medications I take. Include all over-the-counter products, prescriptions, vitamins and supplements you currently use. Some medicines and even “natural” products can interact with each other. And that can be downright dangerous. So make sure your list is complete — your doctor and pharmacist really need to know.

  Quick tip: Brown bag it. A list is handy — but you can also gather up and bring the bottles and containers to show your doctor.

• Health history notes. It’s helpful for your doctor to know details about your family medical history as well as your personal health history.

• My questions and concerns. It can be hard to remember all the points you want to coverduring your visit. So make a list to bring along. Note any symptoms you’re experiencing.

  Quick tip: Don’t forget preventive care. Ask your doctor what screenings and vaccines are right for you.

• A buddy. If you have trouble recalling what your doctor says, it may be helpful to invite a family member or friend. Remember these extras: Take a notepad to jot down the must-remember items. Ask your doctor for a printout of instructions.

7 questions to ask at your doctor checkup

Here are a few sample questions you might ask your doctor. 

• What vaccines, screenings or medical tests do I need?

• When will I get my test results from this visit?

• Does my family history raise my risk for any health problems?

• What are some steps you think I should take to stay healthy?

• Do you have any follow-up instructions for me? Can I get those in writing?

• When should I schedule my next appointment?

• How should I contact you if I have questions after this visit?

Screenings and checkups can help you stay healthy. Here are a few sample questions you might ask your doctor. 

• How often should I get a wellness checkup?

• What’s a healthy weight and waist measurement for me?

• Do I need a mammogram to screen for breast cancer? Should I consider genetic testing too?

• Should I be screened for cervical cancer?

• How often should I be screened for colorectal cancer? What are the benefits and risks of the different tests?

• Should I be tested for sexually transmitted infections?

• Do I need to be screened for an abdominal aortic aneurysm?

• How often should my cholesterol be checked? What should my levels be?

• What should my blood pressure be? How often should it be checked?

• How often should I be screened for diabetes?

• Do I need a bone density test?

• Would you recommend prostate cancer screening for me?

• What other important screenings may I need?

Looking for more information about preventive care?

• Learn more preventive care tips
• Preventive guidelines for all ages - English (pdf)
• Preventive guidelines for all ages - Spanish (pdf)