If going to a doctor when you feel fine sounds counter-intuitive, this post is for you. It not only answers the question, “What is preventive health care?” but also demonstrates how it differs from other types of medical care and why it’s always the right choice when protecting your health and your wallet.

What is preventive care, and what services does it include?

Preventive care is all about taking a proactive approach to good health. It means going to the doctor for regular annual check-ups, routine tests, vaccinations and advice that helps you stay healthy and prevent health problems before they start.

Preventive services have two main functions —protecting you and those around you from disease and identifying health problems early when they’re easier to treat. Immunizations and routine screening tests are types of preventive care services. Some specific preventive care examples include:

  • Getting an annual checkup. Your Centivo Care primary care provider is your first line of defense when it comes to your health and wellness. They’ll go over your personal and family health history, plus address issues like managing stress, maintaining a healthy weight and other lifestyle issues that affect your health.
  • Receiving recommended routine vaccinations. Routine vaccinations like flu, COVID-19, shingles and Tdap are important for adults to stay protected and up to date.
  • Getting a colonoscopy. You should start these colorectal cancer screenings at age 45 and, after that, every 5 years or as often as your doctor deems appropriate.
  • Getting regular mammograms. Women at high risk for breast cancer or who have reached age 40 should have a regular mammogram screening.

What are the benefits of preventive care?

Preventive care increases the chances that any health issues will be detected before they become serious. Other benefits of preventive care are:

  • Increase life expectancy. The earlier diseases like cancer and diabetes are discovered, the greater the chance for treatment that can produce favorable outcomes.
  • Avoid illness. Preventive care — like vaccinations — can prevent you from getting sick.
  • Adopt healthier habits. Your primary care doctor will guide you toward healthier lifestyle habits to help prevent problems in the future.
  • Save money. By encouraging you to make healthy lifestyle choices, preventative care reduces the odds that you’ll incur costly medical bills in the future.

Is preventive care expensive?

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), all health insurance must cover preventive care services with no out-of-pocket costs to you. So, for most people, your annual checkup, routine tests and certain screenings recommended by your primary care doctor are covered at no cost.

At Centivo Care, we believe in taking care of the whole person — both mental and physical — with a primary care provider serving as your health partner. Since the cornerstone of good health is preventive care, we offer expert virtual care.