Free Preventive Care
What is Free Preventive Care?
Your health plan isn’t just for when you or your family members are sick. It’s also important to use the free preventive care that’s available to you when you are well. Preventive care visits with your doctor and vaccines are available at no added cost to you, and more importantly, can help you stay healthy.
Most health plans offer free preventive care without charging you a copay (the amount you pay at the time of service or billed) or coinsurance (a percentage that you pay of the cost of services) when you visit a doctor in your network. This is true even if you haven’t met your yearly deductible (the amount you pay before the health insurance company pays).
What can I expect during my preventive care visit?
Your doctor will talk with you about your current health and how to prevent illness. Your doctor may also suggest tests or screenings based on factors such as your age, gender, current health status and family history.
Make the Most of Your Free Preventive Care Visit
Before your visit, make note of the following:
- Concerns you have about your overall wellness.
- Changes in your personal medical history.
- The medical history of your family.
- Any new prescription or over-the-counter drugs you are taking that your doctor may not be aware of.
While scheduling your appointment, be sure to say you are interested in
“free preventive care” to avoid any charges.
If you’d like to learn about other covered services, you can request a
“Summary of Benefits and Coverage” from your health insurance company.
Tips for Children’s Free Preventive Care Visits
- Consider scheduling school-age children’s visits when they are on a break from school.
- Prepare questions or concerns so you can address them during your visit.
- Be prepared to ask the doctor if your child is up to date on vaccines.
