Preventive care
Prevent illness and disease before they happen to keep you and your family healthy.
What is preventive care?
Preventive care (or preventative care) is meant to help you avoid future illnesses and promote good overall health by visiting your health care provider regularly and building healthy habits.
Many people don't take advantage of their health plan's preventive care coverage because they don't know what it includes or how to access services. We work to make it easier to use your health plan.
Common preventive care services
Many preventive care services are covered by your UCare health plan at no additional out-of-pocket cost. Coverage varies by plan, but here are some common examples:
Annual wellness visits: These yearly visits are designed to monitor your vitals and catch any health problems early, when they're easier to treat. An annual visit also gives you the chance to build a relationship with your primary care provider.
Cancer screenings: Cancer screenings, such as mammograms and colonoscopies, can catch cancer early when it's easier to treat. Ask your provider what screenings are right for you.
Immunizations: These include vaccinations that are needed yearly such as flu shots, RSV vaccine and COVID-19 boosters and those that are needed much less frequently such as Hepatitis A and B.
UCare Individual & Family Plan members
UCare Individual & Family Plan members have access to high-quality preventive care with in-network providers. This includes immunizations, annual physical exams, screenings for certain types of cancers and more. Learn everything you need to know with this preventive care guide, which includes information on the differences between preventive and diagnostic care.
Medical Assistance (Medicaid) members
Medical Assistance members can get the most out of their plan by visiting their doctor regularly for annual checkups, vaccines and screenings at no extra cost. Preventive care is important for members of all ages, including children and young adults. Schedule your annual exam today and ask your doctor what screenings are right for you. To learn more about what your plan covers, call the customer service number on the back of your member ID card.
Resources for preventive care
We have resources to support you in taking care of your health and using your health plan’s benefits.
Rewards and incentives
Eligible members may earn rewards when they take important steps to stay healthy, like completing an annual checkup each year. Some members can also earn rewards for completing certain diabetes tests and cancer screenings.
Child and teen checkups
From birth through age 21, all children and teens need annual wellness visits. These screenings help ensure children and teens are healthy and receive all needed immunizations.
Flu vaccines
Getting your flu shot is an easy way to protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu. You can get a flu shot at any in-network provider, clinic or pharmacy. During flu season, we offer flu shot clinics to make it even easier to get a vaccine near you.
Health Improvement Team
Our diverse team of health improvement specialists provides services related to preventive care that align with your cultural and ethnic background and language preferences. This team can speak to you in your preferred language (whether that’s Spanish, Hmong, Arabic or Somali) and help you get the care you need to stay healthy.