We know to visit a doctor when we're sick, but we often forget to go when we're healthy. Visiting your doctor regularly for checkups can keep you healthy by detecting potential health problems while they still can be prevented or easily treated. This can prevent serious, and very costly, medical conditions down the road. Providing preventive care with no cost sharing is one more way that the Blues are helping improve the health of Michigan residents while managing health care costs. What types of services are considered preventive? Preventive services may include tests or services when they're used to screen for a disease or condition. Examples of preventive services are those included in annual exams, such as health maintenance exams (physicals) and OB-GYN visits. Some examples of common preventive services are:
- Certain screenings for cancer
- Routine immunizations
- Regular physical exams, including pediatrician visits
- Counseling for tobacco cessation
- Counseling to address obesity
- Coverage for certain women's preventive services
What types of services are not considered preventive? Services are not considered preventive when they are for an existing illness or injury. Tests or services used to monitor or follow up on an existing condition - or services that aren't on any of the lists of required preventive services - are not considered preventive. The federal government identifies which services are considered to be preventive and the Blues expand upon this list. If a service is not considered preventive, you may have to pay a share of the cost (such as the usual deductible, copay or coinsurance). For more health insurance tips visit bcbsm.com/101 or follow the hashtag #Covered101 on our social channels. If you have a specific question, please submit your query online through our Customer Action Center. Photo Credit: Pamela Barclay
