Getting started with preventive care
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Preventive care is the routine care that can help you avoid health issues, illness and disease.
It includes your annual checkup and other routine visits, and it’s the most cost-effective way to protect your long-term health. This type of care usually takes just a few hours every year, and in many cases, it’s free through your insurance coverage.
Because your health risks vary based on who you are, what you do, and your age, the list of services that count as preventive care for you will change throughout your life.
Preventive care can help you…
Spot potential problems before they start.
Catch time-sensitive conditions early on.
Assess your risk for certain issues so you know what steps to take.
Monitor and control any existing symptoms.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
It can also save you time, effort, and money in the long run, since staying healthy is easier and more affordable than getting well. As an added perk, this care will give you opportunities to build relationships with your doctors, so you’ll have a trusted resource next time a health concern crops up.
Ready to take the first step? Here’s how to get started.
Your preventive care checklist
This isn’t an exhaustive list of available preventive care services. But if you’re looking to score some low-effort, high-impact wins, here are the big items to check off:
Schedule your next annual checkup with your primary care physician. If you need to find a primary care provider, here are a few tips.
Make a plan to get your recommended vaccinations, which may include your annual flu shot and any booster shots you may need. If you’d like to get your vaccinations somewhere other than your doctor’s office, like a pharmacy or clinic, check your health insurance provider’s website and find a participating location near you. It’s a good idea to keep a record of your vaccine history for future reference.
Schedule your preventive dental exam with an in-network dentist, if you have dental insurance. Your next exam will usually be 6 months after your last one.
Schedule your preventive vision exam with an in-network eye doctor, if you have vision insurance. Typically, you’ll have these appointments every one to two years.
Schedule other specific services, such as an annual breast, cervical, prostate, or testicular exam, if they’re relevant to your needs and if your annual physical won’t include them.
If you have a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or Point of Service (POS) plan, the first step is to see your primary care physician, who will refer you to your other healthcare providers. Check the details of your plan to find out exactly how referrals work for you.
How your health insurance handles preventive care
Most medical plans are legally required to completely cover in-network preventive care. That means that your annual checkup will be free, even if you haven’t met your deductible
To avoid surprise bills, make sure your doctor’s office knows that you’re scheduling a checkup, not an office visit or a diagnostic appointment. If you need lab services, ask which lab group your doctor uses, and check that it’s in-network.
If you have an HMO or a POS plan, ask your primary care physician for referrals to any other doctors you’d like to see. Just be aware that if your doctor discovers an issue that needs immediate attention, your medical plan might treat the appointment as diagnostic and bill you accordingly.
That said, your medical plan will probably cover services including:
An annual checkup with your primary care physician.
Routine immunizations for common diseases, including influenza, COVID-19, meningitis, and tetanus, at participating locations.
Screenings for common conditions including diabetes, abnormal blood pressure, high cholesterol, sexually transmitted diseases, and certain forms of cancer.
Screenings for depression.
Certain lab services, like biopsies or blood tests, X-rays, or MRIs.
Counseling for lifestyle issues like weight loss, nutrition, and tobacco and alcohol use.
Colonoscopies every 10 years, starting at age 45.
Your doctor will help you figure out the best lineup of screenings and services for you.
How to find your primary care provider
A primary care provider (PCP) performs your checkups and is your first point of contact whenever you have health concerns.
Some health insurance plan types, including HMOs and EPOs, may automatically assign a primary care provider to you. If you have one of these plan types, contact your health insurance provider to find out who your PCP is.
Under other insurance plans, you’ll choose an in-network primary care physician on your own. In this case, there are several factors to keep in mind.
Your specific healthcare needs
If you have specific physical health concerns, like a chronic condition or two, you might want your primary care provider to be an internist with a relevant specialty. Otherwise, you’ll probably want someone who's listed as a general practitioner or a family practice physician.
Your personal preferences and personality fit
Ideally, you’ll build an ongoing relationship with your PCP, so it’s worth taking the time to find a good fit for your personality and preferences, not just your health situation.
To help you figure this out, check online reviews. If people took the time to report that the doctor has poor bedside manner or dismisses patients’ concerns, you may want to reconsider. Of course, the best way to find out if a provider will be the right fit for you is to meet with them yourself.
Location and availability
Ideally, you’ll be able to find a PCP at a practice that’s conveniently located near your work or home, but office hours are just as important.
Look for a provider whose schedule aligns with yours, as some doctors are unavailable on certain days of the week or don’t offer appointments after 5:00pm.
If travel is a challenge, you should also consider whether your provider offers telemedicine appointments, to ensure you have access to care, even when you’re feeling under the weather.
If you have mobility concerns, consider choosing a doctor who works in a large practice or a hospital that’s convenient and easy to access for you. That way, if you need any additional services, like blood tests or X-rays, you can get them all in the same complex.
How to search for an in-network healthcare provider
If you have a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan, it’s a good idea to get your preventive care in network to ensure it will be free or that the co-pays will be relatively affordable. This is also true for folks on a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) plans.
If you have an HMO or POS plan and need a preventive service that your primary care provider doesn’t offer, they can help you find in-network care and may provide a referral.
The size of your network will vary based on your health insurance provider and your specific plan, but the ways to find a provider stay the same:
Search your health insurance provider’s online directory.
Use a digital platform like ZocDoc.
Ask your coworkers for recommendations, as they’re likely insured within the same network and plans.
Healthcare providers often change their relationship with insurance providers, and online resources aren’t always up to date. Once you’ve picked out a doctor, call the office to confirm that they take your insurance and are in network. They’ll need to know which plan you have, not just which insurer provides it.
How to prepare for your annual checkup
If you’re seeing a primary care provider for the first time, contact your previous doctor’s office and ask them to transfer your medical records to the new one.
You and your doctor will probably have lots of questions for each other. It’s easy to go blank in the moment and forget to mention something important, especially if you’re in the 39 percent of people who feel anxious about going to the doctor.
To set yourself up for success, take some time before your checkup to write down:
The names and dosages of any prescription medications, over-the-counter treatments, vitamins, and supplements you take.
Details of your family medical history and your personal history.
The name, address, and phone number of your pharmacy, in case your doctor needs to know where to send a prescription.
Hip tip: Don’t forget to bring those lists and notes with you! Write them in the notes app on your phone or email them to yourself for easy access.
You should also bring:
Your health insurance information.
A photo ID card.
Any recent lab or imaging results.
If you’re feeling anxious, or if you want someone to take notes on what your doctor says, consider bringing a friend or family member.
After your checkup, ask how to contact the doctor if you have follow-up questions, and how to access any lab results.
Preventive dental and vision care
Dental and vision coverage are usually offered separately from medical insurance. Oftentimes, your employer will offer coverage options. Otherwise, you can find individual plan options through the state or federal Health Insurance Marketplace.
Most doctors recommend getting your eyes checked once a year and your teeth cleaned twice a year. The exact frequency varies from person to person, so check in with your provider to see what’s best for you.
Curious about what preventive dental and eye exams look like? Here’s a rundown of what to expect at your appointments, how to prepare, and why they’re important to your overall health.
Get your preventive care journey underway
The first step is to understand how your health benefits can help you reach your preventive care goals, so you’re already off to a great start!
If you’re feeling pressed for time or get nervous around doctors, it can be tempting to procrastinate. Doctors often have a packed calendar, so you may need to schedule an appointment weeks or even months in advance. Leave yourself time to find a doctor who’s the right fit for you.
If you don’t have the bandwidth to go through every item in this guide right now, focus on making a realistic plan. Pick a small, manageable task, like scheduling your annual checkup or making a shortlist of eligible primary care providers.
Don’t worry if you’ve been putting off preventive care for a while; no matter how long it’s been since your last appointment, today is a great day to get started!
ALEX
Preventive care: like brushing and flossing but for your whole body.