Health is wealth, as the saying goes. But health care can be expensive, especially if you don’t have insurance or have a high-deductible plan. That’s why preventive care is so important. Preventive care can help you avoid or detect health problems before they become serious and costly. And the good news is that if you have an ACA plan, you can get preventive care for free. In this article, we will explain what preventive care is, what services are covered by ACA plans, and how you can access them.

What is Preventive Care?

Preventive care is health care that aims to prevent disease, injury, or disability, or to detect and treat them early. Preventive care can include screenings, tests, immunizations, counseling, and education. Preventive care can help you stay healthy, lower your health care costs, and improve your quality of life.

Some examples of preventive care are:

• Blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes screenings
• Breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings
• HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) screenings and counseling
• Immunizations for flu, hepatitis, measles, and other diseases
• Tobacco use screening and cessation interventions
• Depression screening and behavioral health counseling
• Obesity screening and nutrition counseling
• Alcohol and drug misuse screening and counseling
• Domestic violence screening and counseling
• Dental and vision screenings for children
• Developmental and autism screenings for children
• Well-woman visits and prenatal care for women
• Contraceptive methods and counseling for women

What Services are Covered by ACA Plans?

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, most health plans must cover a set of preventive services at no cost to you. This means that you don’t have to pay any copay, coinsurance, or deductible when you receive these services from an in-network provider. This applies to most plans sold on the Health Insurance Marketplace, as well as to most employer-sponsored plans and some other types of plans.

The preventive services covered by ACA plans are based on the recommendations of expert groups, such as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and the Health Resources and Services Administration. These groups review the latest scientific evidence and update the guidelines regularly to reflect the best practices for preventive care.

You can find the complete list of preventive services covered by ACA plans on HealthCare.gov. You can also check with your health plan or provider to see what services are covered and how often you can get them.

How to Access Preventive Care Services?

To access preventive care services, you need to have an ACA plan and visit an in-network provider. An in-network provider is a doctor, clinic, hospital, or other facility that has a contract with your health plan to provide services at a lower cost. You can find out if a provider is in-network by checking your plan’s website, calling your plan’s customer service, or asking the provider directly.

If you don’t have an ACA plan, you may still be able to get preventive care services for free or at a reduced cost. Some providers offer free or low-cost screenings, immunizations, and other services to the public, especially during certain events or campaigns. You can also look for community health centers, public health departments, or other organizations that provide preventive care services to low-income or uninsured people. You can use online tools, such as DiskQuote, to find and compare providers near you.

Preventive care is a smart and easy way to stay healthy and save money on health care. By having an ACA plan and visiting an in-network provider, you can get preventive care services for free. Don’t wait until you get sick or injured to seek health care. Take advantage of the preventive care benefits offered by your ACA plan and take charge of your health today.

ACA Plans and Preventive Care: A Real-Life Perspective

Health insurance is a complex and important topic that affects millions of Americans. Many people have questions and doubts about their options, especially when it comes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans and preventive care services. In this series, we will talk to real people who have experience and opinion on using ACA plans and preventive care. We will learn about their stories, challenges, and benefits of having an ACA plan and getting preventive care. We hope that this series will help you understand more about ACA plans and preventive care, and inspire you to take charge of your health and budget.

Hi, thank you for agreeing to talk to us. Can you tell us your name, age, profession, and state?

Sure, my name is Lisa Jones, I’m 28 years old, and I work as a waitress in Florida.

OK, Lisa, can you tell us what type of health insurance plan do you have right now?

Interviewee: Well, I have an ACA plan that I bought on the marketplace last year. It’s a bronze plan with a $6,000 deductible and a $8,000 out-of-pocket maximum. It covers the basic things I need, like preventive care, prescriptions, and emergency care.

I see. And why did you choose an ACA plan over other options?

Well, I didn’t have any other options, really. I don’t get health insurance from my employer, and I can’t afford to buy a private plan. I also don’t qualify for Medicaid, because Florida didn’t expand it. So I decided to look for an ACA plan instead, and I found one that I can afford with the help of a premium subsidy of $150 per month.

And how do you use your ACA plan for preventive care? What services do you get and how often?

Well, I try to use my ACA plan for preventive care as much as possible, because it’s free and it helps me stay healthy. I get a yearly check-up, where they check my blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. I also get a mammogram every two years, because my mom had breast cancer. I also get a Pap smear and an STI test every year, because I’m sexually active. And I get a flu shot every year, because I don’t want to get sick and miss work.

Thank you, Lisa, for sharing your story with us. We appreciate your time and honesty.

Note: The name of the interviewee has been changed to preserve their privacy.

How can DiskQuote help you find the right ACA plan for your new situation?

At DiskQuote, we work with the reliable Health Insurance and Medicare Companies to get you insurance prices. We can help you compare and enroll in an ACA plan that suits your budget and health goals.

If you are interested in getting an ACA plan for 2023, don’t wait until the last minute. Contact us today and let us help you find the deal for your health insurance. Visit our contact page to fill out a simple form. Don’t let life changes affect your health insurance coverage. Update your ACA plan today with DiskQuote! 😊