Image Credit: Kate Sept
A new year brings new goals and aspirations for us all but remember to add routine health checkups to your to-do list! Preventing health problems before they begin and lowering future medical costs can be achieved through regular checkups.
Regular checkups with your doctor are an excellent habit to cultivate. A good investment as simple as routine checkups can make a big difference in your quality of life - particularly as you age. The cost of healthcare per person in the United States grew 2.7 percent in 2021, reaching $12,914 per person.
The last thing anyone wants is to accumulate that kind of medical debt. There is a misconception that avoiding doctors means avoiding medical bills, but it's actually the opposite. Putting off or avoiding medical care results in less desirable outcomes and increases the cost of care.
Your doctor can detect diseases early on by performing regular health checks. Through various tests, they can detect warning signs and complications at an early stage. As a result, you can make healthier and smarter lifestyle decisions anytime.
You can stay healthier and feel more comfortable if you have the support of your primary care physician. Moreover, maintaining your health and regular checkups with your doctor is crucial if you have a chronic or existing condition. Therefore, make sure to take advantage of your routine visits!
The following screenings are highly recommended for the year ahead:
- Breast Cancer Screening: women ages 50-74 years of age who had at least one mammogram to screen for breast cancer in the past two years
- Cervical Cancer Screening: ages 21-64 year
- Comprehensive Diabetes Care-Eye: all adults with Diabetes
- Comprehensive Diabetes Care-HbA1c Testing: all adults with Diabetes
- Kidney Health Evaluation for Patients with Diabetes: all adults with Diabetes
- Colorectal Cancer Screening for all adults: ages 50+
- Use of Imaging Studies for Low Back Pain: adults with a diagnosis of low back pain
- Appropriate Testing for Children with Pharyngitis (sore throat): ages 3-17 years
- Appropriate Testing for Children with Upper Respiratory Infection: ages 3 months - 17 years
The USFHP Primary Health Care Plan provides routine doctor's visits, hospitalization, prescription coverage, preventative health care coverage, and specialty care. We’ve also developed incentive programs that reward our members for meeting certain health goals.
Visit usfhp.net or call 1-800- 241-4848. We’re available to assist you Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (EST).