Being under the weather isn’t the only reason to go to the doctor. It’s important to go for your annual wellness exam and preventive health screenings.
What is Preventive Care?
Preventive care includes wellness checkups and health screenings that are separate from care you get when you’re sick. Your health plan covers in-network preventive care at 100% with no copay or deductible.
Preventive Care and Screenings Include:
annual wellness exam
well-woman exam
routine blood work
mammogram
colonoscopy
prostate exam
mental health screenings
routine immunizations
Five reasons to get preventive care
1. It can help prevent sickness and chronic conditions.
Each year, your provider will check your health to help find potential risks and create health goals. During your wellness exam, your provider will:
talk about your general health, medications and family health history
perform a physical exam
recommend routine screenings and immunizations based on medical history, gender and age
answer your health questions
2. A relationship with a Primary Care Provider can lead to a healthier life.
When a PCP manages your care, they get to know you, your medical history, treatment preferences, medications and lifestyle. Through regular checkups, your PCP may find early signs of chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure or cholesterol. Together, you can make a care plan.
3. Vaccines help boost and protect your immune system.
Keeping up to date helps:
protect yourself and others from getting and spreading certain illnesses and diseases
lower your risk for serious infections if you have a chronic condition
fight off diseases you’re at higher risk for as you age, like shingles
Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to learn more about immunization recommendations and schedules.
4. It increases your chances of finding serious illnesses and conditions early.
Regular screening for things like diabetes, cancer and depression make it more likely to catch illnesses in the early stages. In many cases, early detection can prevent complications and can even be lifesaving.
5. It’s covered by your health plan.
The best part is your health plan covers screenings and services with no out-of-pocket costs like copays or coinsurance when you visit in-network providers. This is true even if you haven’t met your deductible.
Tip: When you make your appointment and check in, be sure to let the scheduler know to code your visit as preventive care. If you get diagnostic services or care for an ongoing condition, they won’t qualify as preventive care services, and you’ll pay out-of-pocket costs.
What are You Waiting for?
Schedule your annual wellness exam with your PCP! Don’t have one? Provider Finder® lets you search for providers using location, patient reviews, certifications and more.
Covered Services
Get more details on what preventive services are covered at TRS-ActiveCare Covered Preventive Care and TRS-Care Standard Covered Preventive Care.
Leverage Personal Health Guides
A Personal Health Guide can help you find a provider and even schedule an appointment. They’re available 24/7 at 1-866-355-5999, or you can chat through the BCBSTX App.