Did you know that Obamacare requires all qualifying health insurance plans, and many other private insurance plans, to offer preventive health care benefits at no charge to you? Preventive care is vital to maintaining good health. However, it’s estimated that only half of all Americans take advantage of the preventive health care benefits offered under Obamacare. Many people are simply too busy or don’t realize they have some important health screenings available at no cost to them.
Preventive health care benefits required under Obamacare include health services such as screenings and check-ups that are used to prevent health problems or detect them at an early stage when treatment is likely to be the most effective. Most plans offer an array of preventive benefits designed specifically for adults, women and children. Flu shots, for example, are covered by most health plans with no out-of-pocket costs. (Just check before you make an appointment — your health plan may require you to get vaccinated by or see a specific provider or providers.)
It’s estimated that 7 out of 10 deaths among Americans each year are from chronic diseases. Preventive health care in the form of health screenings and early medical attention can lead to dramatically better outcomes. Don’t put off learning about your preventive health care benefits under Obamacare. Take the time to learn about and take advantage of your preventive health care benefits and stay current with recommended health screenings and vaccinations.
Here are two things to keep in mind about your preventive health care benefits:
Under Obamacare, preventive health care benefits are free only when delivered by a doctor or other provider in your plan’s network. Always confirm your plan’s benefits. You’ll also want to make sure you are receiving your preventive care from a participating health care provider, otherwise they may not be free.
Check to see which preventive services are available for each member of your family. Specific services are available at no cost to adults, women, pregnant women or those may become pregnant, and children. Additionally, people in specific age groups or circumstances may be eligible for certain types of preventive care as well.
Adults, for example, are generally eligible for free blood pressure and cholesterol screening, while colorectal cancer screening is a covered benefit generally only for adults age 50 to 75. Type 2 diabetes screenings are available generally only for adults ages 40 to 70 who are overweight or obese.
As a legal alternative to Obamacare, Christian health plans also offer no-cost preventive and wellness benefits, although they may vary from the benefits offered by Marketplace plans. Catastrophic health plans also offer no-cost preventive care benefits. Short-term health plans, which do not meet the minimum essential coverage requirements under the Affordable Care Act, often do not have preventive health benefits or only a limited number of them available to plan participants.
Do you have questions about which health plan options are available to you? Are you curious about the preventive care that your plan offers? At Health Choice One, we are here to help people with their health plan needs. We have a wide variety of coverage options for people in a range of different circumstances. Whether you need health coverage for the first time or have lost your coverage, put us to work for you.
Since its debut in 2002, Health Choice One, with offices in Uniontown, OH, Columbus, OH and Denver, CO, has been dedicated to providing a wide range of health, vision and dental plans designed to keep individuals and families happy and healthy. We know that health insurance can be confusing and that you’re looking for affordable ways to stay healthy! Call us at 1-888-554-4406.