Enhancing Your Health

When it comes to staying healthy, waiting for a symptom or problem to arise is not the best way to tackle serious illnesses and conditions. By investing some time and energy into preventive measures like health screenings, you’ll not only stay on top of keeping yourself healthy, but you can also potentially find a developing condition early and treat it before it worsens. Save yourself the stress (and the funds needed for costly treatments) by getting routine preventive care so that you can continue to live a long and healthy life.

Preventive care is covered 100% as long as you receive care in-network, so it’ll cost you nothing to stay on top of your health. The term preventive care is broad and includes getting annual checkups, tests, screenings and vaccinations, as well as practicing good wellness through personal lifestyle choices such as eating healthy, practicing mindfulness techniques and exercising regularly, all in an effort to maintain your health by preventing diseases altogether and reducing the likelihood of developing certain health conditions.

For a full list of preventive services covered under the medical plan for men, women and children, visit healthcare.gov.

Your dental and vision health play a major role in preventing diseases. They both are closely linked to your overall well-being due to many illnesses and diseases having corresponding symptoms found in your eyes and oral cavity. By getting routine checkups, you may notice symptoms of a developing condition and seek care before it evolves any further.

• Vision: Your eyes are a window to your health. Through routine eye exams, a doctor can detect the signs of health conditions early, including high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. Early eye treatment like this is crucial in preventing permanent vision loss or blindness due to cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration or other worsening health conditions with eye-related complications. Preventive eye exams are covered 100% (once per year) when you visit an EyeMed PLUS Provider. You also have allowances for frames and lenses. For more information and to find an in-network optometrist, visit the Vision page.
• Dental: Getting routine dental exams is great to keep your mouth healthy and prevent cavities, but did you know many medical conditions have oral symptoms? Swollen and bleeding gums, ulcers, dry mouth, bad breath and other changes in the oral cavity can signify a larger problem. In fact, more than 100 medical conditions – many life-threatening – can be detected by a dentist and caught in the early stages, including diabetes, cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease and HIV. Preventive dental care is covered 100% in-network and includes getting routine cleanings, exams and X-rays. For more information and to find an in-network dentist, visit the Dental page.

You can stay healthy and reduce your risk of developing illnesses by adhering to a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding tobacco/alcohol, protecting your skin, knowing your own risks according to your family history and, of course, getting regular screenings.

Screenings can include questionnaires, imaging, blood tests and more. Learning what type of screenings you should get and the best time to start receiving them is a great way to be proactive with your health. According to the American Cancrer Society (ACS), the following screening guidelines are recommended for the early detection of certain cancers:

• Breast cancer: Women should begin screenings for breast cancer around the ages of 40 to 45 years old.
• Colon and rectal cancer: Both men and women should begin screenings for colorectal cancer around the age of 45 with a stool-based test or visual exam.
• Cervical cancer: Women should begin screenings for cervical cancer at age 25 and receive a primary human papillomavirus (HPV) test every five years or a pap smear every three years. Make sure to speak with your doctor to determine what tests works best for you.
• Endometrial cancer: There is an increased risk of endometrial cancer for women who’ve gone through menopause. Speak with your doctor about your and your family’s history as you may need to consider a yearly endometrial biopsy.
• Lung cancer: If you are or were a heavy smoker, you should get yearly screenings for lung cancer beginning at the age of 50.
• Prostate cancer: Men should speak to their doctor about when they should begin screenings for prostate cancer.
• Skin cancer: Adult men and women should get yearly skin checks for moles, lesions or other early signs of skin cancer.

Other Preventive Measures

Taking other preventive measures can also help with maintaining and monitoring your health. Depending on your age, lifestyle and current risk factors, your doctor may recommend the following:

• Cardiovascular screenings: Blood pressure checks and/or a blood test will determine your cholesterol levels and if you’re at risk for high blood pressure or heart disease.
• Diabetes screening: If you show early signs of Type 2 diabetes, a doctor will usually do a blood test to check for diabetes or prediabetes.
• Vaccinations: Getting your annual flu shot, COVID-19 vaccine and other appropriate vaccinations for your age can help prevent viral illnesses and other diseases.
• Mental health: Maintaining and improving your mental health improves your overall well-being. Identifying mental health concerns early can help you address and prevent them from developing into more serious conditions. Visit the Mental Health Resources page for a list of available mental and emotional health programs and resources so that you can get the help you need.

Don’t waste a second when it comes to prioritizing your health. As a reminder, preventive care is fully covered for all medical plans as long as you stay in-network.

Don’t have a PCP? Visit the Medical page to learn how to find an in-network provider.