Stay on top of your health with preventive care and screenings
You’re covered 100% for in-network preventive care
Work with your primary care doctor and stay on track with the checkups, screenings, and preventive care you need each year.
Find a doctor for your health plan:
Take control of your health with preventive care
Preventive care helps you stay healthy by catching issues before symptoms start. When you see an in-network provider, many services are covered at no cost to you. Getting care at the right time can help you avoid more serious health concerns later.
Start with a primary care doctor
Your doctor helps you stay on track and recommends the care you need based on your age, health history, and risk factors.
Get the right care at the right time
Screenings, checkups, and vaccines are recommended at specific times to help prevent or detect health issues early.
Take advantage of no-cost preventive benefits
Many services are covered at no cost when you stay in-network, including annual checkups, screenings, and recommended vaccines.Catch issues before they become serious
Many conditions develop without symptoms. Preventive care helps detect issues early, when they are easier to treat and manage.Find the preventive care that’s right for you
Preventive care is important at every stage of life, from infancy through adulthood. See the screenings, checkups, and preventive services recommended for you.
Support your health at every age
Your primary care doctor helps you understand what care you need based on your age and health. Screenings at the right time can help catch issues early and keep you on track.
Many preventive care services are covered at no cost when you see an in-network provider
These services help you stay healthy, catch issues early, and keep your care on track based on your age and health.
Your annual checkup
Comprehensive physical exam and preventive services keep you healthy.
Adult vaccines
Depending on your age, vaccines for RSV, shingles, and pneumonia are recommended for adults.
Well-baby and well-child care
Childhood immunizations
Diabetes screenings
Blood pressure screenings
Breast cancer screenings
Colorectal cancer screenings
Cervical cancer screenings
Prostate cancer screenings
Maternity care
Osteoporosis screenings
Stay on track with your care
Online tools help you understand the care you need, based on your age and health.
See the screenings and vaccines you need to stay healthy.
Visit MyHealthFinder to learn about preventive care recommendations.
Visit UHC.com for a screening checklist by age and gender.
Keep your checkup covered
A few simple steps can help keep your preventive care visit covered 100%.
- Use an in-network primary care provider
- Schedule your visit as preventive care
- Ask if tests are preventive or diagnostic
- Call your health plan member support if you have questions
When preventive care is covered and when costs may apply
Many preventive care services are covered at no cost when you see an in-network primary care provider. Understanding the difference between preventive care and diagnostic care can help you make the most of your benefits and avoid unexpected costs.
What is preventive care?
Preventive care helps you stay healthy by focusing on early detection and routine care before problems start. It includes:
- An annual checkup when you are feeling well
- Tests recommended for your age, such as mammograms or colorectal cancer screenings
- Blood pressure checks and cholesterol or diabetes screenings during a routine visit
- Vaccines recommended for your age and health
- Routine screenings or exams your doctor recommends when you have no symptoms
Diagnostic care is used to evaluate symptoms, follow up on a concern, or manage a health condition. If your doctor provides care to investigate a problem or address a specific issue, those services are considered diagnostic and may include out-of-pocket costs, even during a routine visit.
- A visit to discuss symptoms or a new health concern
- Lab work or tests ordered to find the cause of a health concern
- Follow-up care after an abnormal screening result
- Imaging, such as an X-ray or ultrasound, to investigate a problem
- Care to manage or monitor a diagnosed condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure
- Visits with a specialist for symptoms or an existing condition
Learn more about preventive care
Questions to help you plan and use your care
Life gets busy, but staying on top of your health matters. Answers to these questions can help you understand your benefits, prepare for visits, and make confident decisions about your care.
How do I stay on top of preventive care when I’m busy?
Staying consistent with preventive care starts with planning ahead and using your annual checkup as a foundation. Your primary care doctor can help you stay on track with the screenings, vaccines, and preventive services recommended for you. This visit helps your doctor understand your health over time and recommend the care you need.
Prioritize your health:
- Schedule your annual checkup each year, even if you feel healthy
- Schedule your next visit or screening before leaving the appointment
- Use reminders to keep track of screenings and follow-up care
- Use virtual visits for quick questions or guidance when appropriate
What to know:
- Most preventive screenings and exams are completed in person
- Virtual visits can support your care but do not replace annual checkups
- Preventive care is ongoing, not just one visit each year
Why this matters:
- Many conditions develop without symptoms
- Staying consistent helps detect changes earlier and avoid delays in care
What should I ask my doctor during a checkup?
Staying consistent with preventive care starts with planning ahead and using your annual checkup as a foundation. Your primary care doctor can help you stay on track with the screenings, vaccines, and preventive services recommended for you. This visit helps your doctor understand your health over time and recommend the care you need.
Prioritize your health:
- Schedule your annual checkup each year, even if you feel healthy
- Schedule your next visit or screening before leaving the appointment
- Use reminders to keep track of screenings and follow-up care
- Use virtual visits for quick questions or guidance when appropriate
What to know:
- Most preventive screenings and exams are completed in person
- Virtual visits can support your care but do not replace annual checkups
- Preventive care is ongoing, not just one visit each year
Why this matters:
- Many conditions develop without symptoms
- Staying consistent helps detect changes earlier and avoid delays in care
How can I tell if a test is preventive or something else?
Understanding the difference between preventive care and diagnostic care is one of the most important ways to avoid unexpected costs. A single visit can include both.
Preventive care:
- Done when you have no symptoms
- Based on recommended guidelines
- Focused on maintaining your health
- Often covered at no cost when in-network
Diagnostic care:
- Used to evaluate symptoms or concerns
- May include additional tests or follow-up care
- Focused on identifying or managing a problem
- May include out-of-pocket costs
What to know:
- A single visit can include both preventive and diagnostic care
- The purpose of the test determines how it is billed
What you can do:
- Ask why your doctor is ordering a test
- Confirm whether it is considered preventive
- Ask how it may be billed before receiving care
How do I stay on track with preventive care for my child?
Preventive care for children focuses on growth, development, and early detection of health concerns.
What you can do:
- Schedule well-child visits based on recommended guidelines
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations for vaccines and screenings
- Keep track of developmental milestones and upcoming appointments
What to know:
- Children’s preventive care follows pediatric guidelines, not adult screening schedules
- Visits may include developmental, vision, and behavioral screenings
Why this matters:
- Preventive care helps ensure your child is developing as expected
- Early detection can address concerns before they become more serious
When should I schedule my screenings and follow-up care?
Timing plays an important role in preventive care. Screenings and follow-up care are most effective when completed on schedule.
What you can do:
- Schedule screenings based on your doctor’s recommendations
- Complete follow-up care as soon as possible after a screening
- Avoid delaying appointments, even if you feel fine
What to know:
- Some screenings follow specific timelines (for example, every year or every few years)
- Follow-up care may be needed after a routine screening
Why this matters:
- Delays can lead to missed or late detection
- Staying on schedule helps your doctor monitor your health over time
Should I bring up other concerns during my checkup?
Your annual checkup is for prevention, but it’s common to have additional concerns.
What to know:
- Bringing up new symptoms may change part of your visit
- If your doctor evaluates a concern or orders tests, that portion may be considered diagnostic
- This is one of the most common reasons visits include additional costs
What you can do:
- Ask whether it’s best to address the concern during your visit or schedule a separate appointment
- Ask how discussing the concern may affect how your visit is billed
Why this matters:
- You can still address important concerns
- Planning ahead can help you avoid unexpected costs
How can I prepare for my preventive care visit?
Preparing ahead of time helps you get more value from your visit and ensures your doctor doesn’t miss anything.
What to bring to your appointment:
- A list of medications and supplements
- Any recent health updates or concerns
- Questions about screenings or preventive care
Questions to ask your doctor:
- Confirm your visit is scheduled as a preventive visit
- Be ready to discuss your health history and any changes
- Ask about recommended screenings and next steps
Why it’s important to be prepared:
- Your visit is a chance to plan your care for the year
- The more prepared you are, the more helpful the visit will be
I thought my visit was free. Why was I charged?
Preventive care is covered at no cost when it follows guidelines and you stay in-network. However, a visit can include services that are not considered preventive.
What to know:
- A single visit can include both preventive and diagnostic care
- The purpose of the service determines how it is billed
Costs may apply if:
- You discuss new symptoms or concerns
- Your doctor orders additional tests
- You receive follow-up care after a screening
- Part of your visit involves managing a condition
What you can do:
- Ask questions before you receive care
- Review your explanation of benefits (EOB)
- Contact your health plan before your appointment if you need help understanding your coverage.
Why this matters:
- Understanding how services are billed helps prevent unexpected costs
- It also helps you plan your care more effectively