What is preventive care?
Preventive care1 is a specific group of services recommended when you don’t have any symptoms and haven’t been diagnosed with a related health issue, but may be at risk for a specific disease based on age, gender and history. It includes your periodic wellness exam (check-up) and specific tests, certain health screenings and most immunizations. Most of these services typically can take place during the same visit. You and your health care provider will decide what preventive services are right for you, based on your:
- Age
- Gender
- Personal health history
- Current health
Read more for additional information on preventive care.
The first step toward managing your health is being aware of your current status. Talk to your health care provider about these common preventive care screenings.
- Blood pressure
- Measures how hard the blood pushes against the walls of your arteries as it moves through your body. Normal blood pressure: <120/80 systolic/diastolic2
- Cholesterol
- Measures ratios of the healthy (HDL) and unhealthy (LDL) fat-like substance in your bloodstream. Recommended total cholesterol: <150 mg/dL3
- Blood glucose
- Measures the level of a sugar energy source our body creates when it breaks down carbohydrates. Recommended fasting level: 99 mg/dL or less4
- Colon health
- Looks for abnormal cells in your colon or rectum that are growing together, forming polyps, which over time can become cancer. Start getting colon cancer screenings at age 45; if you have risks, such as a family history of colon cancer, you may need to get screened earlier.5
- Breast health
- Looks for malignant cancer tumors that start in the breast cells. If you are a woman age 40 or older, talk with your health care provider about when to start getting mammograms and how often to have them.5
- Cervical health
- Checks for abnormal or cancerous cells of the cervix. Get a Papanicolaou (Pap) test starting at age 21. If your test is normal, you can wait three years before your next Pap test.5
- Prostate health
- Men should start talking with their health care provider at age 45 about screening. If you are at higher risk, you may need to discuss at an earlier age.5
- Testicular health
- Detects the causes of pain, inflammation, swelling, congenital abnormalities, and lumps or masses that may indicate testicular cancer. Men can learn and perform self-exams. Consult your health care provider to determine causes of pain, inflammation and swelling.
These recommendations are based on the general population. Talk with your health care provider about your specific preventive care screening needs.
1. Includes eligible in-network preventive care services. Some preventive care services may not be covered, including most immunizations for travel. Reference plan documents for a list of covered and non-covered preventive care service.
2. American Heart Association, Understanding Blood Pressure Readings, https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings. Accessed July 20, 2022.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Getting Your Cholesterol Checked, https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/cholesterol_screening.htm. Updated July 12,2022.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Diabetes Tests, https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/getting-tested.html. Updated August 10, 2021.
5. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. “USPSTF A and B Recommendations.” http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Name/uspstf-a-and-b-recommendations. Accessed July 20, 2022.
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