A year after the Affordable Care Act took effect, there’s still confusion circling around healthcare. But one thing is certain: everyone must now buy health insurance or face a penalty. And since it’s a requirement to have a health plan, you might as well take advantage of its benefits. One of the biggest benefits of new healthcare plans is free preventative services.
While it’s important to visit the doctor if you feel ill, you should also go for regular physicals and screenings as needed. Some underlying health problems may not have physical symptoms in the early stages, but preventative screenings may help doctors catch them in time for effective treatment.
For instance, if your doctor performs a skin check and notices a suspicious mole, it can be beneficial to remove it before the potential development of skin cancer. Many preventative services are now fully covered by health insurance (so long as they’re provided by in-network doctors), giving you the opportunity to stay on top of your continued health with minimal expenses. 
Your independent insurance agent can go over the specifics of your health insurance policy with you, but generally speaking, the following preventative services are now available to you at no charge.
- Annual physicals
- Immunizations for both children and adults
- Cholesterol and blood pressure screenings
- Osteoporosis screenings
- Diabetes screenings
- Screenings for certain forms of cancers
- Mammography
- Screenings for urinary tract and other infections
- Contraception
- Children’s screenings for vision, behavioral development, Autism, Sickle cell and more
These preventative services are designed to monitor your health for any signs of illness that may need further medical attention. However, though these preventative services are fully covered, any necessary treatment that must follow will be covered according to the parameters of your health insurance policy.