How to Live a Longer, Healthier Life with Preventive Care

Prevention is power, and being well-informed on the state of your health and staying on top of your yearly exams is one of the best ways to live a healthy and empowered life. As a healthcare professional, it is important to take care of yourself, so that you can take care of others to the best of your ability.

We offer premier medical screening and preventive care benefits for our travelers as part of our Full Circle of Support services. For Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, take advantage of our screening benefits to schedule your annual mammogram or other preventive exams. We make it easy to manage your health, no matter where your next assignment takes you.

The Challenge of Routine Checking

Over the past year, nearly 1 in 4 Americans have neglected medical care—including doctor visits, medications, vaccinations, annual exams, screenings, vision checks, and routine blood work—because they found the cost to be too high.

Coupled with the expenses tied to healthcare, especially for those lacking insurance or sufficient coverage, many people believe themselves to be too busy to prioritize routine screenings. This perception can stem from a false sense of good health, limited access to quality healthcare facilities in their area, or general apprehension surrounding medical professionals and procedures.

Healthcare professionals can be notorious for neglecting their own health, claiming many of the same reasons as the general public. However, regularly attending screenings, cleanings, and check ups can help you add years to life and decrease your risk of certain cancers and preventable diseases and conditions.

Health Carousel helps give you control over your health journey.

Check out how our preventive care benefits work together with these five strategies to help maintain the healthiest version of you:

1. Schedule annual exams and mammograms with a primary healthcare provider.

Once a year, make time for a physical with your primary healthcare provider (PCP) and for mammograms according to your age and physician recommendations (some women have mammograms yearly). Both procedures fall under preventive care, which is defined as routine health care that is meant to help you stay healthy. Preventive care can also include immunizations, cervical screenings, and more.

Preventive care is generally covered at 100 percent by most health plans, and with our large provider network, you can count on finding a physician or screening facilities wherever you happen to currently work.

2. Get screened, earn cash.

Health screenings are an important part of managing your health. Our provider, MetLife, provides a $100 Health Screening Benefit (HSB) for covered screenings and tests, per plan, per year (for enrolled members). Plus, any dependents or a spouse on your plan can also receive the HSB for their screenings. Routine dental cleanings are also eligible for the HSB credit.

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3. Know your family history.

Bringing up this subject with your family might be awkward or uncomfortable, but it is important to remember that these vital conversations could potentially save your life.

Depending on your family history and your genetic makeup (your doctor might recommend a genetic screening or meeting with a genetic counselor), you might undergo a different approach or more regular screening to reduce your chances of facing breast cancer or other inherited conditions. Learning your family history can also give you peace of mind, knowing whether or not you are predisposed to certain conditions.

4. Perform self-exams when possible.

The power is literally in your hands! Early detection is critical in conquering breast cancer, as well as a host of other cancers and conditions. For breast cancer specifically, talk to your doctor about the self-examinations you can perform on yourself at home, or that a partner can help with. Ask them to demonstrate for you or check out an online trusted resource. Get familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel, so you can be aware of any changes.

5. Consider critical illness or hospital indemnity insurance.

Despite routine screenings and preventive care, sometimes the worst can still happen. Be prepared for the unexpected by enrolling in critical illness or hospital indemnity to complement your medical coverage.

Critical illness insurance works together with your medical coverage, paying in addition to what your medical plan may or may not cover, when you or a loved one on your plan becomes seriously ill and requires long-term treatments or hospitalization. Both coverages can help pay for other necessities, such as rent, groceries, etc.

These policies provide the support and comfort your family may need beyond the immediate cost of care, such as helping with deductibles and copays or extra costs of out-of-network care. If you are ever out of work due to a disability, this insurance may also supplement your diminished income.