Your Preventive Benefits
Most Preventive Screenings Are Low- or No- Cost
Health care can be expensive, but it shouldn’t keep you from getting preventive screenings that can help keep you healthy. That’s why your health plan includes most of these screenings at little or no cost to you. If you’re not sure which screenings your plan covers, just ask us.
Examples of low-or no-cost screenings and care include:
- Mammograms
- Colorectal cancer screenings
- Diabetic retinal eye exams
- Vaccinations including flu, COVID-19 and more
Preventive Care
Why Prevention Is Effective
The main reason preventive care is so important is it helps to spot potential health problems early, before they could become bigger problems. Most of the time, the earlier your doctors can spot a problem, the easier, more effective and less expensive your treatment can be. Not to mention you’ll probably feel better, too.
Preventive Screenings
Which Screenings Are Right for You?
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is an independent group of health care experts that recommends preventive health screenings based on your age, sex and health history. If you’re not sure what screenings you may need, their recommendations are a good place to start. Click the section below that applies to you to see what they recommend, and when.
Females: 21–39 Years
| Screening | How often timing |
|---|---|
| Alcohol Abuse Screening | Yearly |
| Annual Wellness Visit | Yearly |
| Blood Pressure Check | Yearly |
| Cervical Cancer Screening | Ages 21-24: every 3 years Ages 25-39: every 3-5 years |
| Depression Screening | Yearly |
| Flu Vaccine | Yearly |
| Tetanus Diphtheria and Pertussis Booster Vaccine | If primary series of Tdap/DTap has been completed at any age, Tdap booster every 10 years |
Females: 40–49 Years
| Screening | How often timing |
|---|---|
| Alcohol Abuse Screening | Yearly |
| Annual Wellness Visit | Yearly |
| Blood Pressure Check | Yearly |
| Breast Cancer Screening | Talk to your provider about when to start mammograms based on risk factors |
| Cervical Cancer Screening | Every 3-5 years |
| Colorectal Cancer Screening | Screening beginning age 45 |
| Depression Screening | Yearly |
| Flu Vaccine | Yearly |
| Tetanus Diphtheria and Pertussis Booster Vaccine | If primary series of Tdap/DTap has been completed at any age, Tdap booster every 10 years |
Females: 50–64 Years
| Screening | How often timing |
|---|---|
| Alcohol Abuse Screening | Yearly |
| Annual Wellness Visit | Yearly |
| Blood Pressure Check | Yearly |
| Breast Cancer Screening | Every 2 years |
| Cervical Cancer Screening | Every 3-5 years |
| Colorectal Cancer Screening | Colonoscopy every 10 years |
| Depression Screening | Yearly |
| Flu Vaccine | Yearly |
| Shingles Vaccine | Two doses of the Shingrix vaccine at age 50 or older, at least 28 days apart |
| Tetanus Diphtheria and Pertussis Booster Vaccine | If primary series of Tdap/DTap has been completed at any age, Tdap booster every 10 years |
Females: 65 Years and up
| Screening | How often timing |
|---|---|
| Alcohol Abuse Screening | Yearly |
| Annual Wellness Visit | Yearly |
| Blood Pressure Check | Yearly |
| Breast Cancer Screening | Mammogram every 2 years until age 74 |
| Colorectal Cancer Screening | Colonoscopy every 10 years until age 75 |
| Depression Screening | Yearly |
| Flu Vaccine | Yearly |
| Pneumonia Vaccine | One dose of PCV20 at age 65 or pneumococcal vaccine (PPSV23) unless recommended by your provider earlier |
| Tetanus Diphtheria and Pertussis Booster Vaccine | If primary series of Tdap/DTap has been completed at any age, Tdap booster every 10 years |
Males: 21-39 Years
| Screening | How often timing |
|---|---|
| Alcohol Abuse Screening | Yearly |
| Annual Wellness Visit | Yearly |
| Blood Pressure Check | Yearly |
| Depression Screening | Yearly |
| Flu Vaccine | Yearly |
| Tetanus Diphtheria and Pertussis Booster Vaccine | If primary series of Tdap/DTap has been completed at any age, Tdap booster every 10 years |
Males: 40-64 Years
| Screening | How often timing |
|---|---|
| Alcohol Abuse Screening | Yearly |
| Annual Wellness Visit | Yearly |
| Blood Pressure Check | Yearly |
| Colorectal Cancer Screening | Screening begins at age 45 - Colonoscopy every 10 years |
| Depression Screening | Yearly |
| Flu Vaccine | Yearly |
| Shingles Vaccine | Two doses of the Shingrix vaccine at age 50 or older, at least 28 days apart |
| Tetanus Diphtheria and Pertussis Booster Vaccine | If primary series of Tdap/DTap has been completed at any age, Tdap booster every 10 years |
Males: 65 Years and up
| Screening | How often timing |
|---|---|
| Alcohol Abuse Screening | Yearly |
| Annual Wellness Visit | Yearly |
| Blood Pressure Check | Yearly |
| Colorectal Cancer Screening | Screening until age 75 – Colonoscopy every 10 years |
| Depression Screening | Yearly |
| Flu Vaccine | Yearly |
| Pneumonia Vaccine | One dose of PCV20 at age 65 or pneumococcal vaccine (PPSV23) unless recommended by your provider earlier |
| Tetanus Diphtheria and Pertussis Booster Vaccine | If primary series of Tdap/DTap has been completed at any age, Tdap booster every 10 years |
Finding Care
Getting Your Screenings
The screening guidelines above aren’t right for everyone. Depending on certain risk factors like your family’s medical history, your primary care provider (PCP) may want you to start some screenings earlier.
Call your PCP to schedule a checkup and ask them which screenings are right for you.
Or call us at the Member Service number on the back of your Member ID card if you’d like a hand finding a doctor.
BlueCross offers screenings throughout the state by appointment. Reach out to learn more or schedule.
Email: Commercial Quality Improvement
Scheduling Line : 1-800-205-4983 Scheduling Line : 1-800-205-4983
Before Your Appointment
Take these steps before your appointment:
- Schedule an appointment time that is convenient for you.
- Arrange travel beforehand, if necessary.
- Consider bringing a friend or family member with you for support.
- Write down any questions or concerns you want to discuss.
- Make a list of your medications to bring with you.
- Take note of recent visits you’ve had with other providers.
During Your Appointment
Here are some suggestions for your appointment:
- Ask questions if anything is unclear to you.
- Bring up any problems or concerns you might have.
- Tell your PCP about other providers you’ve seen. This might include a specialist (for asthma, skin conditions or etc.) or the ER or urgent care.
- Take notes, or get a friend or family member to take notes for you.
- Ask your PCP to write instructions for you.
- Ask your PCP for printed material about your condition or suggestions for where you can get more information.
After Your Appointment
Follow this advice after your appointment:
- Schedule a follow-up appointment, if needed.
- Make appointments at the lab for blood work or at other offices to get tests done, if needed.
- Find out how to get referrals to other health care providers.
- Call your PCP if you have questions.
- If your appointment was with a specialist, ask them to send a report to your PCP.
Planning for Your Appointment
Knowing what medications you're taking can help your PCP help make sure the treatment you're getting is right for you. Use the button to the right to complete a list that you can take with you and share with your PCP.
Managing Your Health
Staying at Your Best Health
Your health plan includes benefits to help you manage many long-term health conditions. Log in to your BlueCross account and choose Managing Your Health to find out more about these programs and start using them.
LOG IN TO BCBST.COMManaging Your Health
Staying at Your Best Health
Your health plan includes benefits to help you manage many long-term health conditions. Log in to your BlueCross account and choose Managing Your Health to find out more about these programs and start using them.
LOG IN TO BCBST.COM
Resources for You
Get Quick Tips for Healthy Living with WellTuned
Want to know more about how you can live a healthier lifestyle? Our WellTuned blog shares simple health and wellness tips from BlueCross clinical and medical experts. You can also get quick health tips on video by following us on Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest.
How Sleep Affects Heart Health
Poor sleep habits are tied to many adverse health outcomes, including heart disease. Consider these tips to improve your sleep.
What Drives Stress and How to Manage It
Stress is often unavoidable, but it doesn’t mean you can’t do something about it. These steps will help you identify where your stress is coming from and create a plan to manage it.
Ways to Eat Healthy on a Budget
Feeding your family without breaking the bank can be a challenge, but it is possible. Try these ideas to help you save money while enjoying healthy, delicious food.
Contact us
We’re Here To Help
Have questions about your preventive screening benefits? Want help finding a doctor or managing a long-term health condition? We can help with that, or any other health plan questions you have.
Phone
1-800-565-9140
8 a.m. - 6 p.m. ET (Monday - Friday)
TTY/YB users can access the
Tennessee Relay Service at:
1-800-848-0298
Medicaid (Bluecare Tennessee)
Phone
1-800-468-9698
8 a.m. - 6 p.m. ET (Monday - Friday)
TTY users should call:
711
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