Preventive Care Skip important screenings because of COVID? We get it - last year was uncharted territory for all of us. Early in the pandemic, people were encouraged to stay home until we knew more about the virus. Now is the time to schedule these vital appointments and get your health back on track! Preventive care plays an important role in saving lives! Preventive care is defined as any service that helps prevent illness and maintains one’s health and well-being. Simply put - it’s the stuff you do before you’re sick to keep yourself healthy. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 7 out of every 10 deaths among Americans every year are due to preventable chronic diseases. Preventive care is focused on decreasing the risk of developing health issues even if you’re in the best shape of your life. This includes routine checkups, screenings, lab tests and immunizations that are intended to catch signs of and prevent potential health problems. Some serious conditions like heart disease and cancers don’t always exhibit symptoms or early warning signs, so the only way to know if you have a health issue is through certain screenings and tests. What is a wellness visit? One of the best ways to stay healthy is through preventive care and annual wellness visits with your primary care provider. These visits are a fundamental part of preventive care. This yearly appointment focuses on what you can do to prevent future disease or injury, or catch health problems before they become serious. Keeping you safe and healthy is our top priority! We’re right here and ready to serve you. Rest assured that we take great care in creating a safe and secure environment at each of our St. Elizabeth facilities to protect our patients, families and each other. To learn more about what we’re doing to keep everyone safe, visit Our Safety Measures page. What’s included in a wellness visit? Take advantage of your annual wellness visit to discuss the following: Review of your medical history* Assess your family medical history and how it can impact your own health Discuss how to lower current health risks Recommend screening tests and immunizations based on your age, risks and gender Counseling on health-related behaviors: diet, physical activity, tobacco and alcohol use, managing stress and safety *Does not include evaluation or treatment for existing health conditions or diagnosis of new health issues. Annual wellness visits are an essential step to maintaining good health. With most insurance plans, preventive services are covered 100% with no copays, coinsurance or deductible. Check with your insurance provider to view your coverage and schedule your wellness visit today. If you have a new or existing health issue that you would like to discuss with your provider, consider scheduling a separate appointment so more time can be devoted to those symptoms or concerns. Make your health a priority! You might be tempted to let an appointment like this wait – after all, if you aren’t sick, why should you make time for a doctor’s appointment? We make things like car or house maintenance a priority, but often we’ll let our own health slide. Do yourself a favor and make your health a priority. Be proactive about your health! Good health starts with a primary care provider! Everyone should have a primary care provider, also known as a PCP. A PCP is considered your main healthcare provider and should be your first point of contact for all of your medical and health-care needs, which will allow for you to get the best continuity of care throughout your lifetime. Continuity of care dramatically increases the likelihood that you’ll receive a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment. By being able to track your health over time, your PCP can gain valuable information that can help you get the best healthcare for you. To learn more about why you need a primary care provider, visit our St. Elizabeth Physicians - Primary Care page. How do I find a primary care provider? The St. Elizabeth Physicians - Find a Provider tool can help. With over 200 physicians and advanced practice providers and 42 offices throughout Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana, you’re sure to find a provider convenient to you.