What is Preventative Care?
Preventative care consists of screenings and care that can catch disease and illness early on and guidance and care that can ultimately prevent serious conditions and help you stay healthier. Most insurance provider cover these preventative service for no charge. Here’s a list of common preventative care services:
- Alcohol misuse screenings
- Annual physicals
- Breast cancer mammogram screenings taken every 1 to 2 years for women over 40
- Contraception for women with reproductive capacity
- Blood pressure screenings for all ages
- Depression screenings for all ages
- Diet counseling for adults at high risk for chronic disease
- HIV screenings and counseling (ages 15 to 65 and other ages at high risk)
- Obesity screenings and counseling for all ages
- Type 2 diabetes screenings
This is only a portion of the preventative care services that you may be able to access for free through your insurance provider.
Why Is Preventative Care Important?
The goal of preventative care is to catch illness and disease in the early stages of their develop and to safeguard you against major health problems. Catching serious and minor conditions early on will make treatment easier and less costly.
These preventative care screenings are also important for detecting illnesses that can go unnoticed in the body for years. High blood pressure is an example of one that, over time, could lead to heart disease and even stroke if it is left untreated.
How do you know what preventive care you need and when?
Having a preventive visit allows your provider to evaluate your health and make sure you get the right screenings for your age, gender and family history. These visits can help you stay healthy and may help you identify health concerns before they become a long-term condition.
Everyone has different health care needs, so talk with your provider to discuss your individual needs.