When do you think about your health the most — when an ache appears or when you’re feeling well? It may sound contradictory, but taking action when you’re well can help uncover issues before symptoms appear and possibly prevent them from worsening.
What is a preventive care visit? It includes routine screenings, exams and immunizations that proactively get you on track to your best health. Preventive care is covered at no additional cost, so it can also help you save money.
What's included in preventive care?
While health plans may vary, an adult preventive health care schedule typically includes:
- Routine checkups
- Depression and anxiety screenings
- Pelvic and breast exam for women
- Mammogram for women
- Cancer screenings — including colon, lung, cervical and breast cancer
- Diabetes screening
- High blood pressure screening
- Osteoporosis screening
- Screening and counseling to prevent obesity, heart disease, diabetes and stroke. (This can include nutritional counseling, annual office visits specifically for obesity and blood pressure measurement, and some lab tests.)
- Screenings for pregnant women, including gestational diabetes, depression and anxiety
- Nutritional counseling to promote healthy weight during pregnancy
- Several immunizations, such as those for the flu, shingles, pneumonia, measles and more
Discover common preventive care services in this Preventive Health Checklist for Adults Ages 19+. If you have a GuideStone® health plan, explore coverages in the Preventive Schedule.1
5 Steps to Using Preventive Care
When you’re ready to use preventive care services, follow this five-step plan to make the most of your health plan and save money:
- Follow the preventive schedule provided by your health care provider. Review the services available to you based on your age and gender.
- Stay in-network. Find in-network health care providers in your area. Preventive services are only covered when you use providers in your plan’s network.
- Schedule an appointment. Tell the provider you are scheduling preventive services. To avoid out-of-pocket costs, the provider must code the visit as preventive — not diagnostic.
- Plan to follow up. After your preventive care visit, schedule a follow-up appointment if needed. Understand that any treatment administered in subsequent appointments will be considered diagnostic and subject to your standard coverage rules, not the preventive schedule.
- Monitor explanation of benefits (EOB) statements. Review medical statements to make sure preventive services are billed accurately.
Why did I get a bill?
If you receive a bill for a procedure you expect to be preventive, take a moment to review your
Preventive Schedule.
It’s important to understand the
difference between preventive and diagnostic care. If a preventive exam uncovers an issue that leads to a diagnosis or treatment, subsequent procedures are paid according to the health plan benefits, which can include deductible, co-insurance or co-pays.
If you suspect an error, contact the number on the back of your medical ID card for help.
Save Time and Money with Wellness Programs
Some GuideStone health plans offer wellness tools and programs to help you navigate preventive care and save money. For example,
SmartShopper® allows you to shop for health care procedures to earn cash rewards and reduce out-of-pocket health care costs.
2
Take Charge of Your Health with GuideStone by Your Side
Early detection is crucial for the best outcome when dealing with health conditions. At GuideStone, our health plans offer preventive care services and align with your biblical values. For more information, contact us at Insurance@GuideStone.org or 1-844-INS-GUIDE (1-844-467-4843), Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT.
GuideStone welcomes the opportunity to share this general information. However, this article is not intended to be relied upon as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
1Excludes Medicare-coordinating plans and Cigna International plans.
2Not available with Blue High Performance Network or Medicare-coordinating plans.
Article
• Jul 17, 2025 