It’s even been proven that regular preventive care leads to better health outcomes in the long run.

But what is preventive care? And what should your benefits cover?

It’s important to feel informed when you go into your next preventive exam, sometimes referred to as an annual wellness exam, to avoid unexpected costs down the road.

Preventive care is the medical care you receive to help prevent disease before it happens. It can include age-appropriate or diagnostic testing, lifestyle changes, vaccines and early disease detection and support in preventing future health or behavioral conditions. Meeting with your primary care provider for your annual wellness exam can decrease the likelihood of disease or catch illnesses in their early stages.

Depending on your age, gender, lifestyle and genetics, you may be at higher risk for certain conditions and diseases.