Preventive health care services are intended to diagnose or prevent health problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the preventive health services definition includes regular check-ups and physical exams, screening tests, immunizations, dental cleanings, counseling and health education. Many of these services are covered by health insurance, and yet, only about 5% of adults are accessing all of the recommended preventive services, according to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
In this guide, we’ll explain how preventive services can help you even when you’re healthy, and offer advice on how to use your health insurance to access them.
Why Preventive Health Services Are Important
Preventive health services are important because they can help prevent diseases and potentially identify health conditions, even before you experience any symptoms. These types of health services are an essential aspect of quality health care, because when a condition is diagnosed early, treatment can be more effective and affordable.
Here are some additional benefits of preventive health services:
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Supporting public health. When individuals are vaccinated, they help protect their entire community by preventing the spread of contagious, yet preventable, diseases.
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Lowering health care costs. The more advanced a health condition is, the more costly it can be to treat. Preventing health conditions or detecting them early helps keep costs lower.
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Aligning with health and wellness goals. When individuals prioritize preventive services, they learn more about their own health and can make informed decisions about how to improve it.
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Enabling longer lives. Preventive care can include education, counseling, diagnostics and other approaches to wellness that can help individuals lower their risk for disease and live healthier, longer lives.
What Types of Care Are a Part of Preventive Health Services?
Prevention, early detection and education are all a part of the preventive services spectrum. The following services are examples of what your insurance plan may cover. Please keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list; check with your insurance plan to learn about your personal benefits.
Preventive Services for Adults
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Annual physicals. During a routine physical appointment, your health care provider can perform screening tests that check your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, heart rate and respiration rate, among other vital signs.
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Counseling. Many insurance plans will cover counseling services that can help you quit smoking, lose weight, eat healthier, treat depression, manage addictive behaviors and more.
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Immunizations. Vaccines can help protect you from bacteria and viruses, such as influenza, tetanus, shingles, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, HPV and others.
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Cancer screenings. Screenings such as mammograms and colonoscopies, as well as screenings for cervical cancer and prostate cancer, are important because they may be able to detect cancer before a person even experiences symptoms. That could potentially make treatment more effective—and less expensive.
Preventive Services for Women
- Services for pregnant people or people who might become pregnant. These run the gamut, and may include breastfeeding support and counseling, folic acid supplements, sexually transmitted infection (STI) screenings, screening for gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, tobacco counseling and more.
- Bone density screening. This is often a covered benefit for women who have gone through menopause. This type of screening may help diagnose health conditions such as osteoporosis and predict the risk of bone fractures.
- Well-woman visits. These routine visits can include services and screenings according to what the individual needs. Some examples include physical exams, cervical cancer screenings, STI screenings, vaccinations and more.
Preventive Services for Children
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Well-baby and well-child visits. During these appointments, your health care provider can track your child’s growth and development. At the same time, parents can ask questions about their child and address any concerns.
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Vaccinations. A doctor or nurse can keep your child up to date on their immunization schedule and answer any questions about vaccines.
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Screenings and assessments. Many different screenings and assessments can be helpful to kids and parents, such as developmental screenings, behavioral assessments, vision screenings, hearing screenings, autism screenings, depression screenings, lead screenings, obesity screenings, blood pressure screenings and more.
Want to learn more about preventive services offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama? See the list here.
7 Tips for Using Your Preventive Care Benefits Effectively
Perhaps the most important thing to understand about preventive health care benefits is this: they only benefit you when you put them to work. Here are some steps to get started on doing just that.
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Familiarize yourself with your preventive health services benefits. You can do this by logging in to your health insurance member account and learning what your plan covers. Be sure to look into coverage for mental health as well. In addition, you can ask your doctor, “What are preventive health care services covered by my insurance?”
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Know your family health history. Genetics play an important role in health. If you know that a particular health condition is common in your family, talk to your doctor about it and ask what preventive steps you may be able to take.
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Schedule an annual wellness exam for yourself and your family members. During the appointment, your primary care provider can assess and monitor your health, and conduct important screening tests that could help indicate any potential health concerns. This is a great time to ask your doctor about what preventive steps you can take to benefit your health.
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Make an appointment for a dental exam and cleaning. Your oral health is an important part of preventive care, too. Talk to your dentist about how frequently you should see them to keep your teeth and gums in tip-top condition.
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Stay up to date on routine vaccinations. You can do this during your annual wellness exam or visit your local pharmacy.
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Stay on top of all recommended screenings. Your primary care provider can tell you what cancer screenings you should have, such as a mammogram and a colonoscopy. Make that appointment a priority.
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Take advantage of wellness programs. If your insurance plan offers discounts at local gyms or any kind of fitness facility, consider signing up for that perk. Physical activity is a great way to feel good, burn calories and boost your immune system.
Learn More About Using Your Health Insurance
Most people know they can use their health insurance when they’re sick. But it’s also beneficial when you’re healthy. Familiarize yourself with the preventive health benefits your plan offers, and put them into action today. You may feel better for it!
Want to learn more about how to use your health insurance? Start here:
How Health Insurance Works: Feel Confident Using Your Coverage
How to Get Health Insurance if You Aren’t Covered
How to Be an Active Participant in Your Own Heart Health
5 Myths—and Facts—About Health Insurance
As Open Enrollment Approaches, 6 Things to Consider Before Selecting Your Next Health Plan
