How to take care of your health with preventive care

Preventive care is an important part of healthy aging, helping you stay healthy and independent as long as possible while also helping identify problems earlier. Preventive care includes blood pressure screenings, cancer screenings, cholesterol screenings, diet counseling and immunizations. If you live in Monterey County, the Aspire team wants you to learn how to take care of your health with preventive care.

1. Get your Annual Wellness Visit

Your Annual Wellness Visit is the perfect time for you and your primary care doctor to map out the preventive screenings you need each year. The Annual Wellness Visit is a no-cost benefit. These screenings help detect and prevent serious diseases and can help you keep on top of existing conditions. To schedule your visit, contact your primary care doctor. Aspire Health’s Medicare Advantage Plan members can also call Member Services at (855) 570-1600, TTY 711, if you would like to schedule this important visit. We share more detailed information about Annual Wellness Visits in a previous blog post.

2. Get your recommended vaccines

With cold and flu season approaching, it’s important to get your annual flu vaccine to help protect you. While there are many different flu viruses, each season, the flu vaccine protects against the viruses that research suggests will circulate the most this season. Visit your primary care doctor, or any local pharmacy, such as CVS or Target, for your flu shot. Original Medicare covers one flu vaccine per season under Part B, and a Medicare Advantage plan (such as Aspire Health Plan) will also cover this for you. Learn more about what vaccines Medicare covers.

3. Get colorectal cancer screenings

Colon cancer screenings can identify pre-cancerous growths so doctors can remove them before cancer develops. They also identify cancer in its early stages so it can be treated before it spreads. You can lower your risk by having regular screenings starting at age 50. There are several tests that can be used to screen for colon cancer. Talk to your doctor about which type of test is right for you. Aspire Health Medicare Advantage plan members can reach out to Member Services to help find a local, in-network provider. We also share more about colorectal cancer screening in a previous blog post.

4. Get screened for breast cancer

Mammograms help detect breast cancer early, when it is smaller and easier to treat. Many tumors that are too small to be felt during a self-exam can be found by mammogram — up to two years before it can be felt by your doctor during an exam. For those living in Monterey County, the Nancy Ausonio Mammography Center and the Carol Hatton Breast Care Center are two local facilities that specialize in women’s healthcare services. Spa-like waiting areas, offer caring employees who strive to make your visit as comfortable and stress free as possible.

Aspire Health Medicare Advantage plan members, don’t forget, you can also earn Aspire Rewards for completing healthy activities. If you have any questions about preventive care, and what you should be doing to stay on top of your health, have a conversation with your doctor or primary healthcare provider. Also, don’t forget about your access to an enhanced care team – professionals who are there to empower and support you on your healthcare journey.

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