What is preventive care?
“Preventive care” is regular health care intended to keep you healthy and avoid disease. As part of the Affordable Care Act, all health insurance companies must pay for all of the cost of the preventive services listed below.
Free preventive services
For women only
- Well-woman visits
- Birth control
- Test for cervical cancer
- Tests and counseling for Sexually Transmitted Infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HPV
- Mammograms (after age 40)
- Osteoporosis Tests (after age 60)
- Help if you are the victim of domestic violence
If you are having a baby
- Tests during pregnancy for anemia, gestational diabetes, hepatitis B, Rh incompatibility, syphilis, urinary tract infections
- Breastfeeding support, counseling and supplies
- Folic acid supplements
If you have a high risk of breast cancer
- Breast cancer genetic test counseling (BRCA)
- Breast cancer chemoprevention counseling
For women and men
- Tests for:
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Colorectal cancer (after age 50)
- Depression
- Diabetes (Type 2) test (if you have high blood pressure)
- Hepatitis B (if you have higher risk)
- Hepatitis C (if you have higher risk)
- HIV
- Lung cancer (if you are a heavy smoker aged 55-80)
- Vaccines for:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- The Flu
- HPV
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (German Measles)
- Meningitis
- Pneumonia (Pneumococcal)
- Shingles
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
- Chicken Pox
- Weight loss counseling (if you are obese)
- Diet counseling (if you have high risk of disease)
- Help for alcohol abuse
- Help quitting smoking
Special Note: Weight loss counseling is only free when you use a provider who is in your health plan. Weight loss surgery may be covered, but you may have to pay a share of the cost. Not covered are things like diet meals and non-prescription diet pills. Check with your health plan.