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TrueNorth Explains Preventive Care

posted by TrueNorth Employee Benefits on Tuesday, August 23, 2016

TrueNorth Explains Preventive Care

Did you know that the United States spends more annually on health care than any other country? However,  is committed to helping you spend less on your own health care, and proper prevention is the best place to start.

Consider These Facts

As the old saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Consider these statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

  • Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States.
  • Obesity is reaching monumental proportions; about one-third of adults in America are considered obese.
  • Seriously overweight employees spend more days at the doctor and in the hospital each year than healthy individuals, and they are more likely to call in sick to work.
  • Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. 
  • Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among American women in their forties. Early detection is key to saving lives; when detected at an early stage, the 5-year survival rate is significantly higher than for breast cancer that has progressed to later stages.

Prevention Works When Used

Researchers have estimated that preventable illness makes up approximately 70 percent of the burden of illness and the associated costs. Studies have also shown that when used, the outcomes of wellness benefits prove positive.

For example, getting proper immunizations and health screenings help prevent disease or detect it early, which can help you avoid significant health problems and medical expenses in the future. 

In addition, healthy lifestyle choices like not smoking, exercising regularly and eating nutritiously can improve your overall health and help prevent many future medical conditions. 

Unfortunately, many employees do not take advantage of the valuable preventive services available to them. Many preventive services, such as screenings and immunizations, are available to you free of charge through your health plan. See the following page for a summary of covered services. 

In addition, also see the preventive care recommended guidelines to find recommended screenings, immunizations and counseling services by age group. 

Preventive Care Recommended Guidelines

The following are preventive care recommendations for the various stages and ages of life. These recommendations are based on several findings according to the following organizations: 

Basic, Select & Premier Plans Medical Covered Expenses

Benefit PPO Non-PPO

Routine Care (to age 6)

  • Lab & X-ray
  • Immunizations
  • Hearing Exams & Testing
  • Qualified Practitioner
100% 100%

Routine Care (ages 6 and older)

  • Lab & X-ray
  • Hearing Exams & Testing
  • Qualified Practitioner
100% 100%
Mammograms (not included in calendar year) 100% 100%
Pap Smears 100% 100%
Prostate Antigen Testing (not included in calendar year) 100% 100%

Preventive Care Recommendations for Children Aged 0 - 18 Years

Screening Appropriate Times 
Office Visits At 3-5 days, 1-2 weeks, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24 months, then annually
Newborn Screening: PKU, Sickle Cell, Hemoglobinopathies & Hypothyroidism Prior to hospital discharge, no later than 6 days
Hearing At birth, then again at ages 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15 and 18 years
Height, Weight, and Head Circumference Height, weight, and head circumference should be measured at birth, at 2-4 weeks, and at 1,2,4,6,9,12,15,18 and 24 months of age. Height and weights should also be measured annually beginning at age 3.
Lead Level At ages 1 and 2 years, additional testing until age 6 if doctor recommends.
Eye Screening By age 3 if no previous vision problem has been detected, then periodically. Visual acuity tests at age 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, and 17 years.
Blood Pressure  At age 3, then annually through age 18
Dental Health At age 3, or when all of the baby teeth have come in; then periodically through age 18
Alcohol Use Between ages 11 and 18
 

 

Immunizations Appropriate Times and Dosage
Hepatitis B (HBV) 3 doses: administer at birth, 1-2 months and 6-8 months
Rotavirus (RV) 2-3 doses (depending on brand): administer at 2, 4 and 6 months (if needed)
Polio (IPV/OPV) 4 doses: administer at 2, 4, 6-18 months and 4-6 years
Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib) 4 doses: administer at 2, 4, 6, and 12-15 months 
Diptheria, Tetanus & Pertussis (DTaP, Td) 5 doses: administer at 2, 4, 6, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years; administer again at 11-12 years
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) 2 doses: administer at 12-15 months and at 4-6 or 11-12 years
Varicella (VZV) (Chickenpox) 2 doses: administer at 12-15 months and 4-6 years
Influenza Annually for ages 6 months and older
Hepatitus A (HepA) 2 doses: administer 6-18 months apart, first dose at 1-2 years, if recommended for your child
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 3 doses: both boys and girls at 11-12 years
Meningococcal 2 doses: administer at 11-12 years, booster at age 16

Preventive Care Guidelines for Adults Aged 19-65+

Screening Appropriate Times
Office Visits Annually
Blood Pressure Periodically
Height and Weight Periodically
Alcohol Use Periodically
Prostate Cancer Screening Men: periodically after age 50
Testicular Cancer Exam Men: monthly self exam; also included as part of yearly complete exam
Cholesterol Every 5 years after age 20
Mammography Women: every 1-2 years after age 40
Pap Test Women: every 1-3 years starting at age 21
Sigmoidoscopy Every 5-10 years after age 50
Fecal Occult Blood Yearly after age 50
Oral Health 1-2 times a year
Eye Health Every 2 years
Skin Health Mole self exam monthly starting at age 20
   
Immunizations Appropriate Times
Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) Booster every 10 years
Varicella (VZV) (Chickenpox) 2 doses, if not vaccinated as a child
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 3 doses: administer between 19 and 26 years, if not previously vaccinated
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) 1-2 doses from 19-55 years
Pneumococcal One dose if 65+
Influenza Annually for all adults
Zoster 1 dose after age 60

TrueNorth is here for you every step of the way

TrueNorth offers businesses of every size comprehensive solutions to meet their business needs and those of their employees.  If you are in need of business solutions or are looking to start a business of your own, please call TrueNorth.  Our Employee Benefits division would be happy to assist you in providing the well-being of both you and your staff.  Call us today at 1-800-798-4080.

 

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TrueNorth offers businesses of every size comprehensive solutions to meet their business needs and those of their employees.  If you are in need of business solutions and are looking for ways to protect and maximize your workforce, look to TrueNorth. Our Employee Benefits Division can assist you in providing for the well-being of both you and your staff. Call us today at 1-800-798-4080.

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