Preventative Care: Be Proactive with Your Health


Life gets busy. It&rsquo;s easy to focus on work, family, and daily tasks &ndash; and put your health last. But taking time for preventative care is one of the smartest things you can do for your future.
What Is Preventative Care?
Preventative care is routine healthcare that helps you stay healthy and catch problems early &ndash; before they become serious or costly to treat.
It includes simple, essential services like:
<ul>
 <li style="line-height: 15pt;">Annual checkups </li>
 <li style="line-height: 15pt;">Vaccines/ immunizations</li>
 <li style="line-height: 15pt;">Health screenings (blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes)</li>
 <li style="line-height: 15pt;">Cancer screenings at certain ages, like mammograms and colonoscopies</li>
 <li style="line-height: 15pt;">Wellness counseling based on your health -- for nutrition, mental health, and lifestyle changes</li>
</ul>
Preventative care isn&rsquo;t one-size-fits-all. It depends on your age, gender, and health history. Work with your doctor to create a plan that&rsquo;s right for you.
Why Preventative healthcare matters
Preventative healthcare does more than check a box &ndash; it helps you take control of your well-being.
<ol>
 <li>Catch health issues early
 Screenings can detect conditions like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes before symptoms appear. <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/prevention/preventive-care.html">Early detection</a> often means easier treatment and better outcomes.
 </li>
 <li>Help prevent chronic conditions
 Some chronic conditions can be prevented with the right care and healthy habits. Preventative services give you the tools to reduce your risk and stay on track. 
 </li>
 <li>Lower healthcare costs
 When you stay ahead of your health, you may avoid expensive treatments later. Preventative care is an investment in both your wellness and your wallet.
 </li>
 <li>Support long-term wellness</li>
</ol>
You can&rsquo;t prevent everything, but routine checkups, vaccines, and screenings work together to keep your body strong and resilient for the long run. 
Make Preventative care part of your routine
Small steps can make a big difference. Try these simple ways to stay on track:
<ul>
 <li>Schedule your annual wellness visit.</li>
 <li>Keep a list of <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/prevention/preventive-care.html">recommended screenings</a>.</li>
 <li>Stay up to date on <a href="https://www.immunize.org/official-guidance/cdc/rec-schedules/">vaccines</a>.</li>
 <li>Talk openly with your doctor about your health goals.</li>
</ul>
Taking a proactive approach today can lead to a healthier tomorrow.
Where to get preventative care
Most preventative care starts with your <a href="https://www.azblue.com/inspire-health/blog/make-the-most-of-appointments-with-your-doctor">Primary Care Provider</a> (PCP). Your PCP is your partner in creating a plan that fits your life. They&rsquo;ll help you stay up to date on recommended screenings, vaccines, and wellness visits. You can also access certain services &ndash; like flu shots or health screenings &ndash; at clinics or pharmacies.
If you don&rsquo;t have a PCP, now is a great time to find one. AZ Blue members who don&rsquo;t have a PCP can log in to their member portal, search &lsquo;Find a Doctor&rsquo; and click &lsquo;Doctors by Specialty.&rsquo; Now go ahead &ndash; make an appointment and put your health on the calendar!
Know before you go
To make sure your preventative care is covered at no cost, always see an in-network provider and ask ahead of time if the test or service is considered preventative under your plan. It&rsquo;s a small step that can make a big difference.
We&rsquo;re making it easier to understand when a service is preventative &ndash; and when it might not be. Scroll down to the bottom of this article to find a helpful guide, but remember that coverage can vary based on your plan type and situation.
Start Today: Take Control of Your Health
So go ahead &ndash; Put Your Health on the Calendar and schedule your next preventative&nbsp;care visit. Your future self will thank you. A quick checkup today can help you avoid bigger health problems tomorrow.&nbsp;

AZ Blue Health Choice, Medicaid, members can learn more about preventive care for <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.azblue.com/health-choice-az/health-wellness/childrens-health" target="_blank">children</a> and adults by visiting: <a href="https://www.azblue.com/health-choice-az/health-wellness/adult-health" target="_self">Adult Health | Health Choice AZ</a>.

Catch Serious Health Issues Early with Free Preventive Care

original

webImage

thumbnail

mini

Mature white female physician checking male patients blood pressure at clinic

Blog

AZBlue

White

Search

Left