Under the Affordable Care Act, all job related health plans or individual health insurance polices created after March 23, 2010, must cover certain preventive services without any cost sharing. What this means for you is that you may not have to pay a co-payment, co-insurance, or deductible to receive recommended preventive health services such as screenings, vaccinations and counseling.
PREVENTIVE SERVICES THAT FALL UNDER THESE NEW REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:
- Blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol tests.
- Many cancer screenings, including mammograms and colonoscopies.
- Counseling on topics such as quitting smoking, losing weight, eating healthy, treating depression and reducing alcohol use.
- Regular well-baby and well-child visits.
- Routine vaccinations.
- Counseling, screening and vaccines to ensure healthy pregnancies.
- Flu and pneumonia shots.
If you have questions about whether these new provisions apply to your plan, contact your insurer or plan administrator. Talk to your health care provider to know which covered preventive services are right for you, based on your age, gender and health status.
"Life is not merely to be alive, but to be well." Marcus Valerius Martial