Women’s Health: Put preventive care on your calendar
From annual exams to recommended cancer screenings, preventive care helps you stay ahead of potential health concerns. If you’re not sure what you’ll need, start by checking in with your primary care provider (PCP) or ob-gyn. Ask them which preventive screenings you’re due to complete based on your age, family history and risk factors.
- Schedule your well-woman visit (with an ob-gyn or PCP), and bring a short list of questions (cycle changes, pelvic pain, sleep, mood, sexual health, menopause or perimenopause symptoms).
- Confirm that you’re up to date on screenings your clinician recommends, commonly including cervical cancer screening and mammograms (timing varies by age and personal risk).
- Ask whether you should be screened for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and osteoporosis, especially if you have a family history or other risk factors.
- Review vaccines you may need (for example, HPV, flu, COVID-19 and others, based on age and health status).
Men’s Health: A simple checkup can make a big difference
Men are often more likely to delay routine care, but preventive visits are one of the easiest ways to protect long-term health. A yearly wellness visit is also a good time to talk about stress, sleep, mental health and any changes you’ve noticed (like energy levels or sexual health concerns).
Quick tips and reminders
- Book your annual wellness visit with your PCP, and ask what screenings you’ll need based on age and risk, often including blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and colorectal cancer screening at the recommended age.
- Talk with your clinician about prostate health and whether screening is right for you.
- Don’t ignore symptoms that linger, such as chest discomfort, shortness of breath, changes in urination, persistent heartburn or unexplained fatigue.
- Make appointments work for you: Schedule first thing in the morning, set reminders, and bring your questions and any home readings, like blood pressure.
Benefit reminder: While preventive care is typically covered at no charge when you use in-network providers, coverage can vary depending on how your visit goes. If you discuss new symptoms or receive treatment during a preventive visit, additional costs may apply. When scheduling, ask the provider’s office whether the visit is being billed as preventive, and confirm your benefits before you go.