Bob was 42 when his wife finally talked him into scheduling a preventive checkup. He felt healthy, stayed busy, and saw no reason to make time for a doctor’s appointment. Why go looking for a problem when nothing seemed wrong?
Still, his wife kept after him, so he went.
He completed his annual checkup, had the lab work his doctor ordered, and went back to work. A few days later, the doctor’s office called and asked him to schedule a follow-up appointment because one of his lab results looked irregular.
Bob didn’t go.
Work was busy. He felt fine. The call didn’t seem urgent. He told himself he’d deal with it later, and eventually it slipped from his mind.
The accident that changed his life
Eight months later, Bob was working on a customer’s roof when he lost his footing and fell. A coworker rushed him to the emergency room, worried he had broken bones or suffered a concussion.
The fall didn’t kill him. But it may have saved his life.
The ER ran lab work and additional tests. That’s when doctors found the real problem: Bob had cancer.
Thankfully, they caught it early, giving him a much better chance at successful treatment and survival. But his story raises an important question: if he hadn’t fallen off that roof, how much longer would the cancer have gone undetected?
Why annual preventative check-ups matter
A preventive checkup does much more than check a box on your to-do list. It gives you and your doctor the chance to review your health history, monitor changes in blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, weight, and other key health markers, and discuss screenings and vaccinations based on your age and risk factors.
More importantly, it can uncover problems before they turn into medical crises.
You can feel perfectly healthy and still have high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, thyroid issues, or even cancer developing quietly in the background. Many serious conditions don’t show symptoms early on. A preventive checkup can catch those issues sooner—when treatment is often simpler, less expensive, and far more effective.
Don’t assume everything is covered by your insurance
Just as important, you need to understand how your health plan covers preventive care before you schedule your appointment.
Many people assume everything done during an annual preventive checkup will be covered. That’s not always the case. Some plans cover preventive care at 100%, while others cover services only in accordance with Affordable Care Act guidelines. Indemnity plans may provide a fixed dollar amount toward preventive services, leaving you responsible for the rest.
Before you schedule your checkup, make sure you understand what your plan covers, whether your provider and lab are in-network, and what costs could apply if additional testing is needed.
Protect your health – and your wallet
A preventive checkup can protect your health. Understanding your coverage can protect your wallet.
If you need help reviewing your preventive care benefits or your current health plan, Gordon Health Group can help. We’ll explain your coverage and help you avoid costly surprises.
Schedule a time to talk today: www.calendly.com/cgordon