talking-with-doctor When the healthcare providers here at Family Practice Center talk about our commitment to whole body wellness, that typically means before a health issue has actually occurred. Preventive medicine is a huge part of what we do and something that we constantly educate our patients about. Put simply, preventive medicine refers to the steps that people take to develop and maintain healthy habits and promote overall wellness. This includes annual health screenings and much more. To help our patients better understand the importance of these steps, we wanted to use part 1 of this blog to answer a few questions about the preventive medicine services that we offer.

Question #1: Are preventive medicine services covered by health insurance?

This answer depends on the specific service being requested and the details of each patient’s health insurance plan. It’s true that many healthcare plans cover a variety of preventive health services including Complete Physical Wellness Exams, some annual vaccinations, and more. Although not everything will be covered, we always strive to be fully transparent with our patients about potential costs to ensure that there are no unwelcome surprises. Additionally, if any health concerns are detected or diagnosed early because of these preventive measures, this will likely help you save considerably on healthcare costs in the future. So preventive services (even those not covered) are still hugely beneficial and highly recommended.

Question #2: What is included in a Complete Physical Wellness Exam?

This can vary depending on the age and medical history of each patient. However, the following things are typically included in Complete Physical Wellness Exams in our office:

  • A physical exam performed by a board-certified family medicine physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner
  • Measuring critical health markers including weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and body mass index (BMI)
  • Screenings for common cancers that may include breast cancer, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, and prostate cancer
  • A follow-up on any preexisting conditions
  • An assessment of the patient’s lifestyle habits, including physical activity, diet, alcohol and tobacco use
  • A discussion on regular yearly immunizations to ensure the patient is up-to-date
  • And more!

Question #3: How can I tell the difference between a preventive health test and a diagnostic test?

Preventive tests describe screenings like the ones mentioned above that are used to detect potential conditions and illnesses. They are performed before any symptoms may occur. Conversely, diagnostic testing is done to gain more information about a person’s condition once certain symptoms or warning signs have been detected. Essentially, diagnostic testing is the next phase when trying to determine more in-depth and specific information.

There is no better time than right now to embrace the importance and impact of preventive medicine. Stay tuned for part 2 of this blog, where we will be going into more detail on what is included as part of an annual visit at our office. For more information on our preventive medicine services or to schedule an appointment at one of our seven metro Atlanta area locations (including our newest locations in Buckhead and Johns Creek), please contact Family Practice Center. Stay up to date on our blog posts for more health and wellness tips, and news.