It&rsquo;s June, do you know what that means? We&rsquo;re halfway through the year. This is your friendly reminder to schedule your preventive care!

Preventive care is one of your most important health insurance benefits. It&rsquo;s care that is covered at no cost if you see an in-network provider. Still, a <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.wgauradio.com/news/local/90-americans-delaying-life-saving-health-screenings-aflac-survey-finds/DOHO33IXKJAUJG2BWETRP22KQU/#:~:text=The%20survey%20reveals%20that%20delays,often%20result%20in%20missed%20diagnoses.#:~:text=The%20survey%20reveals%20that%20delays,often%20result%20in%20missed%20diagnoses." target="_blank">new survey</a> found that 90% of Americans delay preventive care &ndash; including annual checkups, shots, and certain screenings.


<h5>Put your health on the calendar</h5>

Make an appointment today! Here are a few reasons why you shouldn&rsquo;t postpone or avoid routine preventive care:

<ul>
 <li>14% <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.norc.org/research/library/new-research-highlights-just-one-in-seven-diagnosed-cancers-foun.html#:~:text=According%20to%20new%20research%20from,pursuant%20to%20other%20medical%20care.#:~:text=According%20to%20new%20research%20from,pursuant%20to%20other%20medical%20care." target="_blank">of cancers</a> in the U.S. are diagnosed after a recommended screening test. When cancer is detected in earlier stages, survival rates are 4x higher.</li>
 <li>Many chronic conditions are <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/prevention/index.html" target="_blank">preventable</a>. People with chronic conditions <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.americanactionforum.org/research/chronic-disease-in-the-united-states-a-worsening-health-and-economic-crisis/#:~:text=The%20health%20care%20costs%20of,Hospitalizations" target="_blank">spend much more</a> on healthcare. Direct healthcare costs average about $6,000 annually, 5x the cost of someone without a chronic condition.</li>
</ul>

Bottom line: Preventive care can help prevent or catch serious health issues early, save you money, and even save your life.


<h5>What&rsquo;s considered preventive care?</h5>

Preventive care is routine healthcare that helps you stay healthy or catch problems early, before they become more serious or costly to treat.

Examples of preventive care include:

<ul>
 <li>Annual checkups</li>
 <li>
 Shots (immunizations)</li>
 <li>
 Cancer screenings at certain ages, like mammograms and colonoscopies</li>
 <li>
 Recommended screenings based on risk factors or age &ndash; like diabetes or cholesterol screenings</li>
 <li>
 Recommended counseling based on your health &ndash; like for nutrition, tobacco use, or substance use.
 </li>
</ul>
Preventive care isn&rsquo;t one-size-fits-all. It depends on things like your age, gender, and health history. Work with your doctor to create a plan that&rsquo;s right for you.
<h5>
Know Before You Go</h5>

To make sure your preventive care is covered at no cost, always see an in-network provider and ask ahead of time if the test or service is considered preventive 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 preventive - 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.
<h5>Where do you go for preventive care?</h5>
Most preventive care starts with your <a href="https://www.azblue.com/inspire-health/blog/make-the-most-of-appointments-with-your-doctor" target="_self">Primary Care Provider</a> (PCP). You can also get some preventive services &ndash; like flu shots or health screenings &ndash; at clinics or pharmacies.

AZ Blue members who don&rsquo;t have a PCP can log in to their <a href="https://identity.azblue.com/member-login" target="_self">member portal</a>, search &lsquo;Find a Doctor&rsquo; and click &lsquo;Doctors by Specialty.&rsquo;
Now go ahead &ndash; put your health on the calendar!

AZ Blue 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

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