Preventative Medical Care
Did you know your health insurance offers preventative services for FREE – that’s right! There is a whole list of preventative services that you can get for FREE as long as you are seeing a provider who is contracted with your insurance carrier (in-network).
What are these services? The list is extensive. Check with your insurance carrier, or read through your medical policy (Say WHAT? Yes, you really should). Health insurance is expensive, no doubt, but medical services are even more costly. Taking good care of yourself is essential! How often do you take your car in for its regular maintenance, oil changes, tire rotation, etc. You are more important than your car! Don’t neglect yourself but instead, take advantage of services designed to keep you healthy!
Here is a short list of what services are considered preventive for adults and are covered at 100%.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm one-time screening for men of specified ages who have ever smoked
Alcohol misuse screening and counseling
Aspirin use to prevent cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer for adults 50 to 59 years with a high cardiovascular risk
Blood pressure screening
Cholesterol screening for adults of certain ages or at higher risk
Colorectal cancer screening for adults 50 to 75
Depression screening
Diabetes (Type 2) screening for adults 40 to 70 years who are overweight or obese
Diet counseling for adults at higher risk for chronic disease
Falls prevention (with exercise or physical therapy and vitamin D use) for adults 65 years and over, living in a community setting
Hepatitis B screening
Hepatitis C screening for adults at increased risk, and one time for everyone born 1945–1965
HIV screening for everyone ages 15 to 65, and other ages at increased risk
Immunization vaccines for adults — doses, recommended ages, and recommended populations vary:
Diphtheria
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Herpes Zoster
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Influenza (flu shot)
Measles
Meningococcal
Mumps
Pertussis
Pneumococcal
Rubella
Tetanus
Varicella (Chickenpox)
Lung cancer screening
Obesity screening and counseling
Sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention counseling for adults at higher risk
Statin preventive medication for adults 40 to 75 at high risk
Syphilis screening for adults at higher risk
Tobacco use screening for all adults and cessation interventions for tobacco users
Tuberculosis screening for certain adults without symptoms at high risk
WHEW – and there are other lists for children and specific to women! Time to take advantage of your FREE preventative medical screenings!
