If you’re healthy or don’t get sick often, you may think you don’t need to see a doctor regularly. But the truth is, regular checkups can help keep you healthy. Think of it like car maintenance. You take the car in for regular oil changes and diagnostics to keep it running smoothly and in great shape. The same is true for your body.
Catch small issues and correct them now
Preventive care, like annual wellness checkups and screenings, can help you stay healthy and prevent illness from starting or getting worse. Ignoring what seems like a minor symptom now could allow it to develop into something bigger down the road. And some conditions, like heart disease or stroke, can have no obvious symptoms until they’ve gotten serious.
When you get a great report from your doctor, you’ll leave with a healthy lifestyle plan for the upcoming year. And if a health issue is found, you’ll make a plan together to treat it quickly and keep your health on track.
Annual checkups are as easy as 1-2-3
1. A primary care doctor will get to know you and your medical history and help you create a personalized plan to stay healthy.1
2. They’ll check your blood pressure and perform routine health screenings and bloodwork.2
3. Then, they’ll recommend the right vaccines based on your age and health history.3
If you don’t have health insurance, most doctor’s offices and clinics will accept cash for an annual wellness checkup. You can also check your blood pressure for free at many Publix or Walgreens locations.
Need help finding affordable care?
If you think you can’t afford to get medical care, a community specialist or registered nurse can help. Stop by your local Florida Blue Center in person or connect with them by phone or even video chat for help finding affordable care, like a low- or no-cost clinic or other community resources that may be available. There’s no extra cost for this type of help whether you have a Florida Blue plan or not. Find a location near you at FloridaBlue.com/Center. The Centers also host regular health events online and in person that are open to the community. Find the events at https://appointments.floridablue.com/fbevents/s/ or call 1-877-352-5830.
Insurance may cost less than you think
Today’s Marketplace health insurance plans cover preventive services — like annual checkups and routine screenings and vaccinations — at a $0 copay. And if you do get hurt or sick, health insurance pays a portion of your medical bills.
In 2024, nine out of 10 of Floridians qualified for financial help (subsidy) to lower their monthly payments, and many of them got a health insurance plan for $10 or less per month.4 With the protection of a health insurance plan, you don’t have to navigate the health care system alone.
Learn more about health insurance
To learn about how health insurance works and can help protect you from expensive medical bills, visit GetCoveredFlorida.com. If you’d like to shop for a health insurance plan, you may be able to get coverage for as low as $0 per month, if you qualify. It’s easy to connect with a local licensed Florida Blue agent, visit your neighborhood Florida Blue Center, or call 1-800-876-2227 for help finding the right plan and making sure you get the financial help you qualify for.
*To be eligible for $0 monthly cost, your Marketplace monthly advance premium tax credit must be equal to or more than the premium.
Sources:
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Are You Up to Date on Your Preventive Care?
2National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: Get Recommend Screening Tests and Immunizations
3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Developing Safe and Effective Vaccines
4Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Health Insurance Marketplaces 2024 Open Enrollment Report
5Debt.org: Urgent Care vs. Emergency Room
ALEIZHA BATSON | Senior Regional Communications Lead, North Florida
aleizha.batson@bcbsfl.com | 904-535-8711 mobile
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