Just like getting regular oil changes keeps your car running smoothly, preventive healthcare involves routine checkups and screenings with your primary care provider to keep you healthy and prevent illness. Also known as preventative care, it’s an affordable way to promote wellness and save lives by catching health issues early, when they’re easier to treat. Most health plans cover qualified preventive services regardless of deductibles.

This approach aims to lower costs while improving the quality and access to medical care through screenings, testing, and wellness exams. Preventive care also helps your provider establish a baseline of what’s normal for your body, so any unusual changes can be spotted and addressed early. Plus, it encourages you to adopt healthy habits and support your mental well-being.

In this article, we’ll explore the most commonly recommended types of preventive healthcare.

Annual physical

Even if you feel healthy, skipping routine visits can let small issues become big problems. Most adults should have at least one annual checkup to catch potential health concerns early. If you have chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid issues, or depression, seeing your provider every six months is essential to keep you on track. For seniors, more frequent visits help manage age-related changes and prevent complications before they start. Your health deserves regular attention—schedule your visit today.

Preventive screenings

Primary care providers offer a comprehensive range of health screenings—including blood tests, imaging studies, physical exams, and questionnaires—to identify potential health issues early, before they progress into more serious conditions. Some of the most common screenings include:

• Breast cancer screening. Screening with a mammogram is generally recommended starting at age 40, but the frequency depends on the guidelines followed. Some organizations recommend annual mammograms beginning at 40, while others advise biennial (every two years) screening through age 74. Your provider can help determine the best schedule based on your personal risk factors and preferences.
• Cervical cancer screening. Women ages 21–29 should get a Pap smear every 3 years. For ages 30–65, screening options include Pap smear every 3 years, high-risk HPV testing every 5 years, or co-testing (Pap + HPV) every 5 years, depending on personal risk and provider recommendation.
• Osteoporosis screening. The USPSTF recommends that women aged 65 and older undergo screening to help prevent osteoporotic fractures. For postmenopausal women under 65, screening is advised if they have one or more risk factors that increase their fracture risk, as determined by clinical assessment.
• Colon cancer screening. The USPSTF recommends screening for colorectal cancer in all adults aged 45 to 75 years to detect and prevent disease early. The gold standard screening test is a colonoscopy, typically performed every 10 years. Other recommended options include the Cologuard (stool DNA test) every 3 years, or the FIT (fecal immunochemical test) Other screening tests can be discussed with your provider to find the best screening plan for you. For adults aged 76 to 85, screening should be offered selectively based on overall health, prior screening history, and patient preferences.
• Prostate cancer screening. For men aged 55 to 69, the decision to undergo PSA screening should be individualized, based on a discussion with their healthcare provider about potential benefits and risks. Some patients at an increased risk need screening beginning at age 40. Routine screening is not recommended for men aged 70 and older. Emerging research may lead to updated guidelines incorporating advanced diagnostic tools and personalized risk assessments.
• Lung cancer screening. The USPSTF recommends annual screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for adults aged 50 to 80 who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. Screening should stop if the person has not smoked for 15 years or develops a health condition that significantly limits life expectancy or ability to undergo curative lung surgery.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations are an important part of preventive healthcare for people from their early years to old age. Infants and toddlers should follow the CDC’s recommended immunization schedule, which outlines initial vaccinations and booster doses at appropriate ages.

• Tetanus: Adolescents (ages 11–12) and pregnant women should receive a Tdap vaccine once for protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Adults who have never received Tdap should get one as well. Every 10 years, or sooner (within 5 years) after a severe or dirty wound or burn, adults should receive a booster dose of Tdap or Td—a vaccine that protects against tetanus and diphtheria but not pertussis.
• Flu: Annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older.
• COVID: COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older, with boosters as appropriate based on age and risk factors.
• Adults aged 50 and older are recommended to receive pneumococcal conjugate vaccines such as PCV20 (Prevnar 20®) or PCV21 (Capvaxive®). For adults aged 19 to 49 with certain risk factors, PCV15 (Vaxneuvance®) followed by PPSV23 (Pneumovax 23®) may be recommended.
• RSV: RSV immunization is recommended for all infants under 8 months of age who are born during or entering their first RSV season, typically August through March. A dose may also be recommended for children aged 8 to 19 months who are at higher risk for severe RSV disease. For adults aged 60 and older, a single dose of RSV vaccine may be recommended based on individual risk factors and shared clinical decision-making with a healthcare provider.
• Shingles: The CDC recommends the shingles vaccine for adults 50 and older to prevent shingles and its potentially severe, long-lasting complications.

Medicare and the Marketplace Plans

Medicare pays for a variety of preventive healthcare treatments that are strategically designed to meet the unique health needs of older people. Medicare’s free annual wellness services include yearly checkups, cardiovascular screenings, mammograms, and many more. Medicare recipients greatly benefit from these services since they allow for the early diagnosis and treatment of medical issues. Check out Medicare’s Preventive Screening Services for additional information.

Marketplace plans

Insurance plans sold through the marketplace must pay for preventive services, including screenings for high blood pressure, depression, and vaccinations, with no out-of-pocket costs whatsoever. Many plans also cover smoking cessation programs, nutritional counseling, and HIV testing. For a complete list of adult preventive care options covered by Marketplace plans, see Healthcare.gov.

Other types of medical tests, preventive medicine, wellness exams, and disease prevention covered by some plans on Marketplace include:

• Cholesterol screening
• Diabetes screening
• Hepatitis C screening
• Tobacco use screening and cessation counseling
• Obesity screening and counseling
• Alcohol misuse screening and counseling

Dental checkups

A key component of preventive healthcare is regular dental exams. These help identify oral health problems early and encourage excellent oral hygiene practices, but also benefit your general health. The recommended interval between dental checkups and cleanings for adults is six months. This varies, however, depending on factors like age, diet, lifestyle, and pre-existing diseases. For example, people who need extra preventive measures to keep their teeth in good condition might benefit from having dental health assessments at shorter intervals. This includes children, the elderly, smokers, pregnant women, and those with diabetes or compromised immune systems.

Finding preventive healthcare

At Florida Medical Clinic, we believe in taking charge of your health by providing a wide range of preventive care services. Not only do we offer preventive treatments to help people avoid health problems like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and obesity, but we also encourage our patients to lead healthier lives and exercise more frequently. To maximize the health benefits of preventive healthcare, we use proactive measures during visits to set a baseline for your health and well-being. This allows us to quickly detect any deviations and make adjustments to your treatment regimens when necessary.

Meet Brooke A. Moore, APRN

Brooke A. Moore, is a board-certified advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), certified as a family nurse practitioner, with a master’s degree in nursing from the University of South Florida. She brings over six years of acute care experience to her role, including work in trauma, surgical oncology, and as a travel nurse. Her diverse clinical background, combined with a strong commitment to lifelong learning, makes her a vital member of Florida Medical Clinic’s preventive care team.

Originally from Key West, Brooke enjoys staying active at the gym, spending quality time with family and friends, and exploring the outdoors.