Health / Doctor visits

4 Reasons to Schedule Your $0 Checkup

Doctor and patient

Your BCBSRI health plan covers a yearly checkup at $0 when you see a provider in your plan’s network. If you haven’t already scheduled it, here are four great reasons to do it today. 

1. Talk about any health concerns you have.
Maybe you’ve had trouble sleeping recently. Or your allergies are acting up. Or you’ve had foot pain. Make a list of these issues and bring it with you to your visit. It’s a good idea to put the most important ones at the top of your list.

2. Prevent health problems or catch them early.
Your PCP may do an exam that includes:

  • Taking your blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate
  • Listening to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope
  • Checking your ears, nose, throat, abdomen, joints, and other parts of your body
  • Asking questions to uncover anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues

3. Review your medical history and any updates since your last visit.
Tell your PCP about any changes to your health or medications as well as any other doctor visits or trips to the hospital. Your PCP may recommend certain tests or screenings based on your age and medical history. See the checklist below.

4. Get help with getting healthy.
Ask your PCP for advice if you aren’t getting regular exercise, need help to stop smoking, or want to make other changes. They can connect you with people who can help—either in their office, through your BCBSRI health plan, or in the community—sometimes at no cost to you.

Need help finding a PCP? Use the BCBSRI Find a Doctor tool or contact BCBSRI Customer Service.

Your health to-do list

Your PCP may recommend the following screenings and tests based on your age and medical history. If you may have missed any, ask your PCP about scheduling them.

Preventive cancer screenings
Many types of cancer are “silent,” meaning you’ll have no symptoms until the disease has advanced and is harder to treat. These screenings can find diseases earlier and, in some cases, even help prevent them. When you see an in-network provider, these screenings are often $0. Here are general guidelines.

  • Colon cancer screening, Everyone ages 45-75
    Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the colon or rectum. While a colonoscopy is the “gold standard” for this screening, other options are available, including simple take-home tests. Ask your PCP what they recommend.
  • Breast cancer screening, Women ages 40-741
    The best way to find breast cancer is with a mammogram, which is an X-ray of the breast. 

Bone density screening, Women ages 65 and older1

  • This test helps screen for osteoporosis, a disease that weakens bones to the point where they break easily. You may not notice any changes until a bone breaks. Your PCP may recommend this test earlier than age 65 if you have had a recent fracture or may be at risk for one.

Care for people with diabetes

  • A1C
    The A1C test shows your average blood sugar over the past 2-3 months.
  • Eye exam
    People who have diabetes are at greater risk for eye problems. In fact, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults ages 20-74.2 Annual eye exams can help detect changes in your vision early and reduce the risk of vision loss.

1People who are transgender or nonbinary should ask their PCP whether they should have these screenings.
2National Eye Institute

In order for preventive services to be covered without cost sharing, members must receive services from a network provider, and certain age, sex, and risk profile requirements may apply. Guidelines and covered preventive healthcare services may change over time. For more information, please refer to your benefit booklet or call our customer service team.