Medical

Preventive Care: A Smart Step for Long-Term Health

Published August 28, 2025

Preventive care is the foundation of good health at any age. Regular checkups, screenings, and vaccines help detect issues early, manage existing conditions, and support overall wellness. Still, many people skip these steps due to busy schedules, lack of awareness, or simply feeling "fine."

But with rising health care costs, staying ahead of potential issues doesn’t just protect your health—it also protects your wallet. problems also keeps more money in your pocket. When you engage with your health care in proactive way it helps you catch issues early, and avoid more serious (and costly) treatments down the road.

Why Prevention Matters

Early detection saves lives. Conditions like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes are easier to treat when caught early.

It improves your quality of life. Staying healthy helps you remain active, independent, and productive.

It’s covered. Most preventive services are covered at no out-of-pocket cost when you follow your SchoolCare medical plan guidelines (e.g., use in-network providers, get referrals as needed). With numerous plans offered by SchoolCare through Cigna and Harvard Pilgrim, please be sure you refer to your benefits coverage documents for guidelines.

7 Key Preventive Care Services for Adults

Health needs vary by individual, but here are seven essential services to consider annually or every few years. Click here for age-specific recommendations.

1. Annual Physicals: General health check-up to monitor vitals and discuss lifestyle changes
2. Well-Woman Visits: Yearly exams focused on reproductive health and related screenings
3. Vaccines: Stay current on recommended vaccines like flu, Tdap, shingles (50+), and COVID-19 boosters
4. Cancer Screenings: Includes mammograms, colonoscopies, pap smears, and prostate exams
5. Biometric Screenings: Monitor key indicators like blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and BMI
6. Eye Exams: Assess vision and check for eye health concerns like glaucoma or cataracts
7. Dental Exams: Cleanings and exams to spot issues like decay, gum disease, or oral cancer

Tips to Stay on Track

• Schedule early and set reminders for annual checkups—many providers book months in advance
• Track your care through a health journal or patient portal
• Build a strong relationship with your provider for better communication and continuity of care
• Support overall wellness with healthy habits like nutritious eating, exercise, sleep, and stress management

Take Advantage of Your Good For You! Well-Being Program

You can put $600 back in your pocket to use toward your health care, for various other expenses or to treat yourself for prioritizing your health.

• Complete age- and gender-appropriate preventive care
• Participate in wellness activities to earn even more
• All SchoolCare medical plan subscribers and covered spouses are eligible

Important: To receive your earned incentives, you must complete a short, confidential online health assessment. Find the assessment in your designated wellness portal.

• SchoolCare/Cigna users: Login to myCigna and click on Wellness Home under the Wellness menu.
• SchoolCare/Harvard Pilgrim participants: Login to corehealthylife.com/goodforyou and find it linked in Step 1 on the home page. 

Final Thoughts

Preventive care isn’t just about avoiding illness—it’s about living well. Whether you're 28 or 62, taking charge of your health now is one of the most powerful decisions you can make for your future.

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