What is considered “preventive” services?

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), certain preventive services are required to be covered by health insurance plans without cost-sharing, meaning they must be provided at no additional cost to the patient.
The ACA’s preventive services include a wide range of screenings, vaccinations, counseling, and preventive medications for various conditions. Some examples of preventive services covered under the ACA include:

1. Immunizations: Routine vaccinations for children and adults, such as influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis A and B, human papillomavirus (HPV), and more.
2. Preventive screenings: These include screenings for conditions such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, depression, and more. The specific screening recommendations may vary depending on factors such as age, gender, and risk factors.
3. Counseling and behavioral interventions: Services aimed at promoting healthy behaviors and preventing diseases.
4. Women’s preventive services: This category includes additional preventive services specifically for women, such as well-woman visits, contraception methods, breastfeeding support, gestational diabetes screening, and domestic violence screening.
5. Pre-and postnatal care: Services related to pregnancy and childbirth.

It’s important to note that the specific coverage and details of preventive services may vary depending on your insurance plan. It’s recommended to check with your insurance provider to understand the coverage and any potential limitations or requirements.