Depression screening, birth control, tobacco counseling. These are among the many preventive services covered by health plans at no additional cost to you, as long as you get them from a network provider. And, with open enrollment upon us, it’s a good time to make sure the providers you want to see are in your plan’s network.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 100,000 lives could be saved annually if each person in the U.S. received the recommended clinical preventive care to help safeguard their health.
What else is included as part of routine health coverage you don’t pay extra for? Great question. Take a few minutes to review this list of preventive care services covered by most health plans, depending on your age, gender and other health factors. Some are familiar, such as annual checkups, mammograms and flu shots, but a few may surprise you.
Children’s preventive services include options like:
- Oral health risk assessments through age 10, as well as fluoride varnishing.
- Hearing screenings up to age 18. Hello, headphone-wearing teens and tweens!
- Healthy weight assessments and obesity screenings.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder screenings at 18 and 24 months of age.
Pregnant women and new moms can help themselves and their little ones by seeking:
- Breastfeeding support and coaching, including help securing a breast pump.
- Folic acid supplements.
- Tobacco use intervention and counseling for before, during and after pregnancy.
For all adults, a variety of services could go a long way toward improved health:
- Tests that calculate your numbers, such as blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Screenings to help diagnose and manage depression.
- Support to lose weight and cut back on alcohol.
- A variety of birth control options.
- Fall prevention for adults over 65.
- In some cases, a daily aspirin for improved heart and colon health.
Talk with your doctor or dentist to determine which preventive care options are right for you and your family.