Preventive Care for a Healthier You!
As we approach 2026, it is imperative to remember the importance of preventive care screenings. Preventive care can help you avoid potentially serious health conditions and/or obtain early diagnosis and treatment. Generally, the sooner your doctor can identify and treat a medical condition, the better the outcome.
Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, most health plans, including the United Healthcare plan offered through the International Health Fund (IHF), are required to provide coverage for preventive health care services at no cost. To access preventive care at no cost, members just need to seek services from an in-network provider. Preventive care includes services such as screenings, counseling, vaccines, and preventive medications.
Preventive care services recommendations vary based on age. For children, some recommendations include age-appropriate well-child examinations, hearing screening, cholesterol screening for children aged 24 months and up, vaccines and immunizations as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and vision screening. For adults, recommendations include:
- Annual wellness examinations
- Blood pressure screening at every wellness exam
- Cholesterol screening for adults aged 40-75 years old
- Diabetes screening for adults aged 40-75 years old
- Mammography screening
- Cervical cancer screening for women aged 21-65 years old
- Screening for anxiety and/or depression during every wellness exam
Lung cancer screening is another important preventive care screening for our members. This screening is recommended for individuals aged 50-80 years old with at least a 20-pack year smoking history. A 20-pack year is defined as smoking one pack per day for the last 20 years, or two packs per day for the last 10 years. Studies also show that individuals working in the construction industry are at a moderately higher risk of lung cancer likely due to potential carcinogen exposure, such as silica and asbestos, making this screening essential for our members.
The IHF also provides coverage for a wide range of generic preventive medications, including those used for asthma, blood thinners, diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, and mental health conditions. Beyond these essential preventive services, the IHF offers 100% coverage for both preventive and non-preventive lab services at Quest and LabCorp, as well as diagnostic imaging at freestanding facilities. With services fully covered, members face no financial barriers to accessing their high-quality benefits.
To learn more about what preventive care screenings are recommended for you, scan the QR code to the UnitedHealthcare link. With this site you can generate a checklist of recommended screenings that can then be discussed with your provider to determine what is appropriate for you. Members enrolled in the IHF can find in-network providers by visiting the UnitedHealthcare website at www.myuhc.com, and may contact the Fund Office at 1-888-880-8222 with any questions.