Preventive Care: Stay Ahead of Your Health

Proactive Measures for a Healthier Life

As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure. At Primary Care of Kansas, preventive measures are the key to maintaining good health and well-being. That’s why we offer various preventive care services to help you stay ahead of your health.

Preventive Care

Preventive care is a proactive approach to healthcare that aims to prevent illnesses and diseases before they occur or worsen. Preventive care services include regular check-ups, screenings, and tests that can detect potential health problems early on, making them easier to treat and manage. Preventive care also includes education and guidance on lifestyle choices promoting good health and preventing chronic diseases.

Are Preventive Care Services Free?

Many preventive care services are covered by health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance plans must cover certain preventive care services at no cost to the patient. These services include things like:

Cancer screenings.
Blood pressure checks.
Cholesterol tests.
Diabetes screenings.
Wellness check-ups.

However, it's important to check with your specific insurance plan to see which services are covered and whether there are any out-of-pocket costs. Some plans may have different coverage levels or requirements for certain services.

What’s Included in a Preventive Care Visit?

Preventive Health Services

Preventive health services are a crucial component of overall healthcare, as they help detect health concerns early on before they become major medical problems.

Most health insurance, including Medicaid, cover several preventive care services included in a preventive care visit. These services typically include:

Annual check-up: This is when your primary care provider checks all areas of your health—physical and emotional. It includes a review of medical history, family history, and a physical exam.
Vaccinations: Vaccinations like measles, mumps, rubella, polio, etc., are usually administered during childhood and include boosters as needed. They are covered 100% under most health plans.
Flu shot: This is typically covered 100% under most health plans and helps protect you from certain strains of the flu virus.
Blood pressure check: This simple test measures the blood pressure against the artery's walls. It is important to detect high blood pressure early to prevent complications.
Cholesterol screening: This test measures the level of cholesterol in your blood. High cholesterol levels can lead to heart disease, stroke, and other health issues.
Cancer screenings: Depending on your age, gender, and family history, your healthcare provider may recommend cancer screenings such as mammograms for women, the prostate exam for men, mammograms for women, and colonoscopies for both men and women.
Diabetes screening: This test checks for high blood sugar levels and helps detect diabetes early before it causes complications.
Depression screening: A screening to assess your risk for depression and other mental health conditions.

Upon completing your preventive care visit, you will receive a plan for future health screenings to help you stay on top of your health.

Non-Preventive Care Services

Non-preventive care services are healthcare services provided for treating an illness or injury that has already occurred.

Diagnostic Tests: These are not routine tests and screenings. For example, if your radiologist finds something on your mammogram and wants another, it's considered a diagnostic mammogram and will typically not be covered as preventive care.
Additional Primary Care Visits: Most health plans will cover you for one annual check-up with your doctor. Other visits during the same calendar year will likely not be covered as preventive care. For example, if you have flu symptoms and need to see your doctor, that's not a covered preventive care visit.
Specialist Visits: Visits to a specialist, such as a gastroenterologist, orthopedist, neurologist, podiatrist, etc., for a particular problem are not covered as preventive care.
Alternative Therapies: Services such as chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, and other health services are not considered preventive care.
PSA Blood Test: A PSA blood test checks for prostate cancer. Some health plans may cover this as preventive care, but many do not. Medicare may cover a PSA blood test, but it depends on the specific circumstances and the reason for the test. Medicare Part B may cover a PSA blood test once every 12 months for men over 50 or those at high risk for prostate cancer.

The Benefits of Preventive Care

There are many benefits to receiving regular preventive care services. Some of these benefits include:

Catching potential health problems early on, when they are easier to treat.
Reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
Improving overall health and well-being.
Saving money on healthcare costs by avoiding more expensive treatments later on.
Increasing lifespan and quality of life.

Take Control of Your Health and Protect Your Loved Ones with Preventive Care

Remember, as a man, woman, or child, specific preventive care services are recommended based on age, gender, and individual health needs. We encourage you to schedule an appointment with us for a preventive care visit and discuss your specific needs for preventive care services.

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