27 Jun Want to Be a Savvy Consumer When it Comes to Preventive Care?

Follow these steps:

1. 1. Make an annual preventive exam appointment with a primary care provider (PCP). A PCP is typically a general medicine doctor, an internist, a Physician Assistant or a Nurse Practitioner. The annual preventive exam is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your future health.

   2. Read what’s on the list of no-cost preventive care prior to your visit.

   3. Know what to expect during your visit. Your PCP will take your measurements, check your vitals and organs, and discuss your medical history. If you want to discuss a concern about your health, just know that it could lead to a diagnostic visit charge. Be open with your PCP if you are worried about this, because knowing is better than not knowing.

   4. During your visit, your PCP may also recommend certain labs and tests. Have a conversation about whether the tests are recommended as preventive under federal definitions.

   5. Discuss the pros and cons of tests that may be subject to cost sharing and make these decisions together with your PCP. It might be worth it to you to pay something toward a test that is not on the list, or it might not. You can decide.

   6. When you receive your bill, double check if for unexpected charges and call our member services department if you see anything that doesn’t look right.

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