How do you like to spend your free time? Maybe you like to run, hike or simply enjoy being with friends and family. Your employer-sponsored medical plans can help keep you healthy so you can keep up with your favorite activities. 

Most major medical plans cover routine in-network preventive care at 100%, with no deductible or copay. That means you can take advantage of many for no cost to you. You don’t have to meet the deductible just to have a routine physical. Screenings on the preventive schedule – such as mammograms and colonoscopy tests – are also included. 

The Value of Preventive Care 

When it comes to health, prevention pays off – literally. These screenings encourage early detection, when treatment is generally more effective and less costly. Improving your health through preventive care will save you money in the future by sparing you from potentially heftier costs down the road. 

• Each year, potentially preventable chronic diseases (e.g., heart disease, cancer, diabetes) are responsible for millions of premature deaths among Americans. The five leading causes of death in the U.S. are heart disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, stroke, and unintentional injuries.
• The American Heart Association reports that about half of all deaths from heart disease – the number one killer of Americans – are sudden and unexpected, so there’s little opportunity for treatment. Prevention is vital. 

What Is Preventive Care? 

It’s more than just annual checkups or well-baby/well-child doctor visits. It also means getting immunizations and cancer screenings based on your gender, age, and family history. It’s never too early to make healthy improvements to your life. Start now by scheduling the preventive exams that are appropriate for your age and medical history: