(Please note that while these screenings may sound like they are free, they may not be. See note below.)
Here are partial lists of the kinds of services and tests that are available through this program.
Preventive Health Screenings for All Adults
Abdominal aortic aneurysm one-time screening for people assigned male at birth of specified ages who have ever smoked Alcohol misuse screening and counseling Aspirin use for adults of certain ages Blood pressure screening for all adults Cholesterol screening for adults of certain ages or at higher risk Colorectal cancer screening for adults over 50 Depression screening for adults Diet counseling for adults at higher risk of chronic disease HIV screening for all adults at high risk Immunizations recommended for age and population including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, herpes zoster, human papillomavirus, influenza, MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), meningococcal, pneumococcal, TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), and varicella. Screening and treatment for excess weight Type 2 Diabetes screening for adults with high blood pressure Sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention counseling for adults at higher risk Tobacco use screening for all adults and cessation interventions for tobacco users
Preventive Health Screenings for People Assigned Female at Birth
Anemia screening on a routine basis for those who are pregnant Bacteriuria urinary tract or other infection screening for those who are pregnant BRCA counseling about genetic testing for those who are at higher risk Breast cancer mammography screenings every 1 to 2 years for those over age 40 Breast cancer chemoprevention counseling for those at higher risk Breastfeeding or chestfeeding comprehensive support and training Cervical cancer screening for sexually active people assigned female at birth Contraception (excluding those employed by “closely held” for-profit employers) Domestic and interpersonal violence screening and counseling Folic acid supplements for people assigned female at birth who may become pregnant Hepatitis B screening at first prenatal visit Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening and counseling Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing for those 30 years and older Osteoporosis screening for those over age 60 depending on risk factors Screening for gestational diabetes (for those 24 to 28 weeks pregnant and those at high-risk Rh incompatibility screening Sexually-transmitted infection counseling Tobacco use screening and interventions for all, and expanded counseling for pregnant tobacco users Regular checkups Rh incompatibility screening
Preventive Health Screenings for Children
Alcohol and Drug Use assessments for adolescentsAutism screening for children at 18 and 24 monthsBehavioral assessments for children of all agesBlood pressure screening for childrenCervical dysplasia screening for sexually active people assigned female at birthCongenital hypothyroidism screening for newborns. Depression screening for adolescentsDevelopmental screening for children under 3, and surveillance throughout childhoodDyslipidemia screening for children at high riskFluoride chemoprevention supplements for children without fluoride in their water sourceGonorrhea preventive medication for the eyes of all newbornsHearing screening for all newbornsHeight, Weight, and Body Mass Index measurements for childrenHematocrit or hemoglobin screening for childrenHemoglobinopathies or sickle cess screening for newbornsHIV screening for adolescents at higher riskImmunization vaccines for children from birth to age 18 including DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus), haemophilus type A, hepatitis A and B, human papillomavirus, inactivated poliovirus, influenza (flu shot), MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), meningococcal, pneumococcal, rotavirus, varicella)Iron supplements for children ages 6-12 months at risk for anemiaLead screening for children at risk of exposureMedical History for all children throughout developmentObesity screening and counselingOral health risk assessment for young childrenPhenylketonuria (PKU) screening for newbornsSexually transmitted disease prevention counseling and screening for adolescents at high riskTuberculin testing for children at high risk for tuberculosisVision screening for all children
About Contraception Coverage
When this part of the Affordable Care Act first included birth control/contraception in the no-cost category, certain religion-based employers objected. After Congressional hearings, the ruling was modified. No longer will some religion-based employers be required to underwrite the cost of insurance to supply birth control methods.
Additional Notes About Payment
No out-of-pocket cost means no deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance. It does not mean your premiums won’t go up.
Also, remember that since you won’t be spending anything out of your pocket, it won’t affect your deductible.
There may be costs that result from these tests and screenings. You may see a healthcare provider and have one or more of these screenings performed, but any additional needs or services that result from these screenings will not also be “free.” For example, you may go to your practitioner for a checkup which is covered by this list, but should a problem be detected and you are sent for another test, that test will not be covered by this program. It may be covered in some way by your payer but not through this program.
Finally, should you be billed for any of these services, and you know they were provided by an in-network provider (healthcare provider, nurse practitioner, approved testing center or another), then contact the provider’s billing department and ask to have the charges removed.
