We understand that life gets busy, and it may feel easier to put off preventive health care services like recommended screenings, routine immunizations, dental cleanings, and vision checks. But the reality is that saving a little bit of time today by skipping preventive care may result in higher medical costs, more invasive procedures, and more serious diagnoses tomorrow.
Health Access Solutions is here to make preventive care more affordable, accessible, and manageable. We know that many members aren’t used to prioritizing preventive care, so to get you started, here is a checklist of preventive health care services and screenings you should consider either scheduling or tracking on a regular basis.
As you check off each item, make sure to submit itemized bills or statements so we can reimburse your eligible expenses as quickly as possible.
Start With An Annual Physical
First, make sure to schedule an annual physical with your primary care provider. You might find it helpful to choose a recurring time for this visit that coincides with your birthday or anniversary, the start of a new school year for your children, or another benchmark that will be easy to remember.
If you do not have a primary care provider, we encourage you to find one and schedule an initial patient consultation. Here is some helpful information on finding your primary care provider.
Choose The Right Preventive Care For You And Your Family
While we have listed general recommendations below, preventive health care is unique to each person. We encourage you to review this checklist with your primary care provider and they can help you decide which ones to prioritize and what frequency you need to schedule each screening and diagnostic test.
(As a reminder you can review the complete list of preventive benefits, including amounts and specific services covered, here).
- Consider immunizations against the flu, shingles, and pneumonia.
- Schedule a vision exam, even if you don’t wear glasses or contacts.
- Schedule a routine dental cleaning and exam.
- Stay on top of well-child visits and routine vaccines with your child’s pediatrician.
- Members over 45 (or 40 with the right risk factors) should make sure they’re on schedule for colon cancer screenings.
- All adult members should complete annual, routine blood work to check things like Vitamin D levels, cholesterol and triglycerides, and overall blood counts. (Review the list of covered panels here).
- Complete a routine, comprehensive urinalysis every year.
- Check your heart health by checking your C-Reactive Protein (CRP) & Homocysteine levels.
Preventive Health For Female Members:
- Members over 21 should schedule an annual gynecological exam.
- Members over 40 should schedule routine mammograms at least every other year. (We will reimburse one every year).
- Post-menopausal women should order a bone density screening every two to three years. (Talk to your primary care provider for further guidance).
Preventive Health For Male Members:
- Men over 50 (or 40 with a family history) should talk to their doctors about how regularly they should have a prostate-specific antigen test.
Consider Your Mental Health And Beyond
Your Health Access Benefit includes reimbursements to help with every facet of your preventive health. Each year, it’s important to look under the surface to take the best possible care of yourself and your family.
- Check-in with yourself every year to decide whether it’s time to begin or continue receiving support for mental health, smoking cessation, and/or substance abuse.
- Take a look at your personal nutrition, weight, and physical fitness; decide if it’s time to invest in a gym membership, personal training, weight loss support, or nutrition counseling.
It’s Time To Make It Happen
Once you have determined which of these preventive care services to prioritize this year, it’s time to start scheduling appointments and taking the next step toward a more proactive and healthy lifestyle.
If we can help you understand or take advantage of your preventive benefits, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of our team at members@healthaccesssolutions.com or (800) 606-1135.