Preventive Care: The Best Healthcare Investment
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure - and tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills. Under the Affordable Care Act, most preventive services are 100% free with no copay or deductible. Yet only 8% of Americans receive all recommended preventive care. This guide shows you how to take advantage of free screenings that can save your life and your wallet.
$0
Copay for Preventive Care
8%
Get All Recommended Care
$3.7T
Preventable Healthcare Costs
Free Preventive Services Under the ACA
These services must be covered at no cost to you when performed by an in-network provider:
- Mammogram (women 40+)
- Colonoscopy (adults 45+)
- Cervical cancer screening (women)
- Lung cancer screening (high-risk adults 50-80)
- Prostate cancer discussion (men)
Prevention vs Emergency: The Cost Difference
Diabetes
PREVENTIVE
Annual A1C screening
$0 (covered)
Yearly
EMERGENCY
Diabetic ketoacidosis ER visit
$15,000 - $50,000
Life-threatening
Savings: Early detection can prevent $240K+ in lifetime complications
Colon Cancer
PREVENTIVE
Colonoscopy screening
$0 (covered)
Every 10 years
EMERGENCY
Stage 4 cancer treatment
$150,000+
14% 5-year survival
Savings: Screening catches 90%+ of cases when treatable (90% survival)
Heart Disease
PREVENTIVE
Cholesterol + BP screening
$0 (covered)
Yearly
EMERGENCY
Heart attack hospitalization
$50,000 - $200,000
Risk of death/disability
Savings: Statin therapy costs $500/year vs $100K+ heart attack
Breast Cancer
PREVENTIVE
Mammogram
$0 (covered)
Yearly (40+)
EMERGENCY
Late-stage breast cancer
$100,000 - $300,000
28% 5-year survival (Stage 4)
Savings: Early detection: 99% survival rate for Stage 1
Recommended Screening Schedule by Age
Ages 18-39
- Blood pressure (every 2 years)
- Cholesterol (every 4-6 years)
- HIV test (at least once)
- Depression screening
- Annual dental exam
Ages 40-49
- All above, plus:
- Mammogram (women, annually)
- Diabetes screening (every 3 years)
- Eye exam (every 2-4 years)
Ages 50-64
- All above, plus:
- Colonoscopy (every 10 years)
- Lung cancer screening (if smoker)
- Shingles vaccine
- Bone density (women 65+)
Ages 65+
- All above, plus:
- Annual wellness visit
- Hearing test
- Fall prevention counseling
- Cognitive assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
Schedule Your Preventive Care
When you do need care beyond preventive services, compare prices to save. The same procedure can cost 386% more at one hospital versus another.
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