Preventative Care Options:
Anthem Blue Cross offers a number of different preventative care options for plan members. If you have a Anthem Blue Cross PPO plan, you will be able to access these preventative care treatments at a significant savings.
There are specific recommendations for each age group in relation to preventative care. Here’s a quick look at the type of preventative care you may need.
People aged 20-39
Tests to screen your height, weight, cholesterol levels and blood pressure are recommended at least every two years. If you have specific issues with your cholesterol levels, or your doctor recommends more frequent screenings, which will be covered in most cases.
Women in this age group should have one Pap test each year, until at least two negative tests are returned consecutively. Once this occurs, a test is then recommended every three years. For women who are at risk of developing Chlamydia, regular tests are recommended if you are under 25, and periodic tests are recommended once you reach 25.
Immunization recommendations will vary, based on your individual risk factors, but the following recommendations are general in nature. For rubella serology or a vaccination against rubella or the MMR vaccination (mumps, measles and rubella), only one vaccination is recommended. A tetanus and diptheria booster is recommended at least once every ten years. Influenza shots are recommended once a year, in the fall, if you are at risk for developing or coming in contact with the disease. High risk individuals may require a vaccination against Hepatitis A. This vaccination requires one shot, and then a second within six months of the first. Hepatitis B may also be recommended, following the same schedule.
People Aged 40-64
The same recommendations above still apply, but some other preventative screenings are also recommended.
Mammograms for women in this age group are recommended every one to two years. This may or may not need to include a clinical breast examination. Osteoporosis screening should begin for women, once they reach the age of 60. These screenings should be once a year for women at risk for osteoporotic fractures. Colorectal screenings are also recommended. There are several different types of colorectal screenings, and the recommendations for each may vary:
Fecal Occult Blood tests or FOBT should be done annually. A Flexible Sigmoidoscopy should be performed once every five years. A Colonoscopy is recommended once every ten years and a Double Contrast Barium Enema is recommended once every five years.
People Aged 65-and up
This age group has many of the same recommendations, but the frequency requirements may vary. Mammogram screenings are recommended every one to two years, and women over 75 may need to consult their doctor for further recommendations.
Osteoporosis screenings are moved up to routinely, and may require more frequency, based on your individual needs. The recommendations for colorectal screenings also stay the same, but your risk factors may require more frequent screens.
The flu shot for individual in this category is now recommended once a year, whether you are at high-risk or not. In additional, the Pneumonococcal vaccine is recommended once. A booster for this vaccine may be recommended as well.
Additional therapies, such as aspirin therapy to prevent cardiovascular problems may be recommended. It is a good idea to check with your doctor to see what they recommend once you have reached this age group.
Preventative screenings can assist your doctor in catching dangerous diseases in their early stages and can go a long way towards helping you live a full and healthy life.
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