Preventive Care

Seeing your primary care physician at least once each year may help prevent or identify concerns before they become problems. Your CarePlus plan covers one routine annual physical exam every year at no additional cost. During this exam, talk to your physician about screenings and medicine you may need, as well as activities to introduce into your life.

Use the list of recommended screenings and vaccinations below as your guide to preventive health. Discuss with your physician if one or more of the following services/exams are right for you:


Preventive Services/ Screenings*	Frequency	Who should be screened?	Additional information	Qualifying CarePlus Rewards Preventive Care Activity
Annual wellness visit	Once per year*	Adults age 65 and older	During this appointment, talk to your healthcare provider about: A personalized prevention plan to help prevent disease and disability, based on your current health and risk factors Diet and exercise How to reduce your risk of falls Your mental and emotional health	Yes
Additional information During this appointment, talk to your healthcare provider about: A personalized prevention plan to help prevent disease and disability, based on your current health and risk factors Diet and exercise How to reduce your risk of falls Your mental and emotional health Qualifying CarePlus Rewards Preventive Care Activity Yes
Cholesterol¹	Every 4–6 years; more often if directed by your healthcare provider	Most healthy adults	You may be required to fast for 9–12 hours.	Yes
Additional information You may be required to fast for 9–12 hours. Qualifying CarePlus Rewards Preventive Care Activity Yes
Diabetes (blood glucose)²	Every 3 years; more often if you are at risk or have above- normal levels	Adults age 40–70 who are overweight or obese	If you have diabetes, talk to your healthcare provider about additional testing you may need.	Yes
Additional information If you have diabetes, talk to your healthcare provider about additional testing you may need. Qualifying CarePlus Rewards Preventive Care Activity Yes
Blood Pressure³	Once per year; more often if directed by your healthcare provider	Adults age 18 years and older	Talk to your healthcare provider to learn your target blood pressure range.	No
Additional information Talk to your healthcare provider to learn your target blood pressure range. Qualifying CarePlus Rewards Preventive Care Activity No
Abdominal aortic aneurysm⁴	Once in a lifetime	Men age 65–75 who have ever smoked	Screening for an abdominal aortic aneurysm uses an ultrasound to look for swelling in a part of the big blood vessel (aorta) running through your abdomen.	No
Additional information Screening for an abdominal aortic aneurysm uses an ultrasound to look for swelling in a part of the big blood vessel (aorta) running through your abdomen. Qualifying CarePlus Rewards Preventive Care Activity No
Bone Mass Measurement (Osteoporosis Screening)⁵	Periodically, as directed by your healthcare provider	Women age 65 and older or Women at an increased risk of osteoporosis	You may need to be screened more often if you are at a high risk of osteoporosis or after breaking a bone.	Yes
Additional information You may need to be screened more often if you are at a high risk of osteoporosis or after breaking a bone. Qualifying CarePlus Rewards Preventive Care Activity Yes
Routine Eye Exam⁶	Every 1-2 years	Adults age 18 years and older	Test your vision and screen for glaucoma and macular degeneration – two common, often age-related conditions; if you have diabetes, test for diabetic retinopathy annually	Yes
Additional information Test your vision and screen for glaucoma and macular degeneration – two common, often age-related conditions; if you have diabetes, test for diabetic retinopathy annually Qualifying CarePlus Rewards Preventive Care Activity Yes
Influenza (flu) Vaccine⁷	Once per year, during flu season	Adults age 18 and older	The flu vaccine is often given in the fall to coincide with the beginning of flu season.	Yes
Additional information The flu vaccine is often given in the fall to coincide with the beginning of flu season. Qualifying CarePlus Rewards Preventive Care Activity Yes
Pneumococcal Vaccine (Pneumonia)⁸	Once after age 65, even if already vaccinated	Adults age 65 and older	Two vaccines help prevent pneumonia: PCV13 and PPSV23. It is recommended that you get PCV13 first, followed by a dose of PPSV23 at another visit.	No
Additional information Two vaccines help prevent pneumonia: PCV13 and PPSV23. It is recommended that you get PCV13 first, followed by a dose of PPSV23 at another visit. Qualifying CarePlus Rewards Preventive Care Activity No
Shingles Vaccine⁹	Once in two doses separated by 2 to 6 months	Healthy adults 50 years and older	You should get the shingles vaccine even if you have already gotten shingles	No
Additional information You should get the shingles vaccine even if you have already gotten shingles Qualifying CarePlus Rewards Preventive Care Activity No
Tdap Vaccine⁹	One dose with a TD booster every 10 years	Adults age 18 and older	This vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.	No
Additional information This vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. Qualifying CarePlus Rewards Preventive Care Activity No
Breast Cancer Screening (Routine Mammogram)¹⁰	Mammogram once every 2 years	Women age 50–74 After age 75, talk to your healthcare provider to find out if you need to be screened	Women with a personal or family history of breast, ovarian, tubal or peritoneal cancer or an ancestry associated with the BRCA 1 or 2 gene mutation may benefit from genetic counseling and/or testing.	Yes
Additional information Women with a personal or family history of breast, ovarian, tubal or peritoneal cancer or an ancestry associated with the BRCA 1 or 2 gene mutation may benefit from genetic counseling and/or testing. Qualifying CarePlus Rewards Preventive Care Activity Yes
Colorectal Cancer Screening¹⁰	Colonoscopy every 10 years or CT colonography every 5 years or Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years or gFOBT (guiac Fecal Occult Blood Test) every year or FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test) every year or Cologuard® every 3 years	Adults beginning at age 45 After age 75, talk to your healthcare provider to find out if you need to be screened.	These recommendations are for normal-risk individuals only, so it's important that your provider knows about your family history. Talk to your healthcare provider about which screening approach to take. The best screening is the one you’re willing to do	Yes
Additional information These recommendations are for normal-risk individuals only, so it's important that your provider knows about your family history. Talk to your healthcare provider about which screening approach to take. The best screening is the one you’re willing to do Qualifying CarePlus Rewards Preventive Care Activity Yes
Cervical cancer¹⁰	Every 3 years with cervical cytology (Pap test) alone or every 5 years with high- risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing alone or every 5 years with hrHPV testing in combination with cervical cytology (Pap test)	Women age 21–65	Talk to your healthcare provider to find out whether or not you should be screened, especially if you have had a hysterectomy or are 65 years or older.	No
Additional information Talk to your healthcare provider to find out whether or not you should be screened, especially if you have had a hysterectomy or are 65 years or older. Qualifying CarePlus Rewards Preventive Care Activity No
Prostate cancer¹⁰	Discuss with your healthcare provider to discuss whether or not you should be screened and, if so, how often	Men age 55–69 should talk to their healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of being screened	The decision to undergo periodic prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing for prostate cancer should be a shared decision between you and your healthcare provider. Consider your family history and other risk factors.	No
Additional information The decision to undergo periodic prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing for prostate cancer should be a shared decision between you and your healthcare provider. Consider your family history and other risk factors. Qualifying CarePlus Rewards Preventive Care Activity No
Lung cancer¹⁰	Once per year	Only people who are between age 50–80 and: Have a history of heavy smoking Who smoke now or have quit smoking within the past 15 years	Talk to your healthcare provider about potential screening methods, including low-dose computed tomography (CT scan).	No
Additional information Talk to your healthcare provider about potential screening methods, including low-dose computed tomography (CT scan). Qualifying CarePlus Rewards Preventive Care Activity No
Depression	As directed by your healthcare provider	Adults age 18 and older, regardless of risk factors	A common screening test for depression is the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). Talking about mental health concerns may be difficult, but if you have been feeling sad or hopeless or have lost interest in things you used to enjoy, talk to your healthcare provider	Yes
Additional information A common screening test for depression is the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). Talking about mental health concerns may be difficult, but if you have been feeling sad or hopeless or have lost interest in things you used to enjoy, talk to your healthcare provider Qualifying CarePlus Rewards Preventive Care Activity Yes

*CarePlus Medicare Advantage plans cover a preventive physical exam annually.

This above general health-related information is not a substitute for professional health care. For individualized medical guidance, talk to your doctor. Please refer to your Evidence of Coverage for detailed information about the tests and screenings that CarePlus covers.

Sources

¹Getting Your Cholesterol Checked. (2020, September 8). Retrieved April 26, 2022, from Centers for disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/cholesterol_screening.htm (link opens in new window)

²Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: Screening. (2021, August 24). Retrieved ,April 26, 2022, from United States Preventive Services Taskforce, https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/screening-for-prediabetes-and-type-2-diabetes (link opens in new window)

³Hypertension in Adults: Screening (2021, April 27). Retrieved, April 26 2022, from United States Preventative Task Force, https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/hypertension-in-adults-screening (link opens in new window)

⁴Recommendation: Abdominal aortic aneurysm: Screening. (2019, December 10). Retrieved April 26, 2022, from rom United States Preventive Services Taskforce,https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm-screening(link opens in new window)

⁵Osteoporosis to Prevent Fractures: Screening. (2018, June 26). Retrieved April 26, 2022, from United States Preventive Services Taskforce, https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/osteoporosis-screening (link opens in new window)

⁶Comprehensive Eye Exams. (2020). Retrieved April 26, 2022, from American Optometric Association,https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/caring-for-your-eyes/eye-exams?sso=y (link opens in new window)

⁷Key Facts About Influenza (Flu). (2021, August 26). Retrieved April 26,2022, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/keyfacts.htm (link opens in new window)

⁸Pneumococcal Vaccination. (2022, January 27). Retrieved April 26, 2022, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/vaccination.html (link opens in new window)

⁹Adult immunization schedule by vaccine and age group. (2022, February 17). Retrieved April 26, 2022, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/adult.html (link opens in new window)

¹⁰American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Early Detection of Cancer. (2022, March 14). Retrieved April 26, 2022, from American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/healthy/find-cancer-early/cancer-screening-guidelines/american-cancer-society-guidelines-for-the-early-detection-of-cancer.html (link opens in new window)

¹¹Recommendation: Depression in adults: Screening. (2016, January 26). Retrieved April 26, 2022, from United States Preventive Services Taskforce, https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/document/RecommendationStatementFinal/depression-in-adults-screening (link opens in new window)

¹²BRCA-Related Cancer: Risk Assessment, Genetic Counseling, and Genetic Testing. (2019, August 20). Retrieved April 26, 2022, from United States Preventative Services Taskforce, https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/brca-related-cancer-risk-assessment-genetic-counseling-and-genetic-testing (link opens in new window)

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