Quite a few medical professionals recommend preventative care.
This includes regular checkups from a doctor and screenings, as well as generally taking care of your health.
A small investment now can prevent chronic illnesses--which are expensive to treat.
Many patients ignore preventative care because of the cost or time involved.
Over recent years, the price of co-payments has increased.
The increasing popularity of health savings accounts has also contributed to lower usage of preventative care, since people who utilize such plans are often responsible for the entire fee.
One of the positive aspects of healthcare reform is an increased focus on prevention.
It reduces one of the main barriers for patients: spotty coverage by insurers.
As of the beginning of October, the law requires that all health insurance plans fully cover certain essential screenings and vaccinations.
Which tests will be covered by health insurance plans? The requirements are based on the recommendations of the U.
S.
Preventative Services Task Force, and can change.
However, the ones that are included will be free to patients, with no out-of-pocket cost.
Communities will also receive funding for wellness initiatives through a newly-created Prevention and Public Health Fund.
The money directed to such programs through the legislation will support wellness centers, bike and walk paths, and healthier school lunches.
The latter will reduce the risk of people developing cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
Starting in 2014, health insurance companies and employers will be allowed to increase the level of wellness incentives they offer policyholders, from 20 percent to 30 percent of the cost of their policy.
In some cases, employees will be eligible for incentives valued at up to 50 percent!