Let’s Keep Track of Your Health. Shall we?
Keeping track of your health is very important and Alterwood Advantage is here to help! We cover Medicare preventive services at no cost to our members, so take advantage and get your screenings completed.
There are a lot of services to keep track of and it can be tricky for anyone. Please use the comprehensive list of services below to help schedule appointments with your doctor. It is possible that some of our recommendations may not apply to you if you have other conditions or medical history. Remember to talk to your doctor before scheduling an appointment to ensure you are making the best choices for your health.
Preventative Services
| Health Care Service | Why It Is Important! | How Often? |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness Visit | ||
| Annual Well Visit | Your doctor will check your height/weight, blood pressure and other factors to make sure you stay healthy. Your doctor can prevent small health issues from becoming bigger problems. Everyone should have a well visit with their primary care doctor once a year. | Annually |
| Care for Diabetes | ||
| Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) Test | An HbA1c test is a simple blood test that is used to monitor how well your diabetes treatment is working over a period of time. It gives you an idea of your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months. Knowing your HbA1c level is important so your doctor can give you the diabetes care and medicine that is right for you. | Annually or more often as directed by your doctor |
| Diabetic Eye Exam | Diabetes can cause eye problems, leading to retinopathy. A diabetic eye exam should be performed by an eye care provider (optometrist or ophthalmologist) to check for signs of diabetic retinopathy, specifically focusing on the health of the retina and blood vessels in your eye. These exams can detect conditions early before you notice changes to your vision, and you should see an eye care provider at least once a year. | At least annually |
| Kidney Health Screening | Kidney damage from diabetes can cause diabetic nephropathy. People with diabetes should be tested at least annually. These tests should include both a blood test to measure kidney function (eGFR) and a urine albumin test to measure kidney damage (uACR). Regular screenings can spot the early signs of disease so it can be treated quickly. | Annually |
| Care for Women | ||
| Breast Cancer Screening | Finding breast cancer early can save your life. Mammograms are an x-ray picture of the breast used to check for breast cancer. The age to start testing and the frequency of mammograms depends on your personal medical history. Talk with your doctor to find out when and how often you should have a mammogram. | Every 1 to 2 years (or as prescribed by your doctor) |
| Care for High Blood Pressure | ||
| Blood Pressure | A healthy blood pressure should be less than or equal to 139/89. If your blood pressure is above these levels, ask your doctor to check again in a few minutes. Make sure that you are seated upright with legs uncrossed to obtain the best reading. Talk to your doctor about tips to monitor your blood pressure at home. | At each visit (at least annually) |
| Colon Cancer Screening | ||
| Colonoscopy | A colonoscopy is the most recommended colorectal cancer screening method. Colonoscopies help your doctor find and prevent colon cancer. Your doctor can help you locate a gastroenterologist to discuss a colonoscopy. There are also other types of colorectal cancer screenings that your doctor may find appropriate for you. Talk to your doctor about the best test for you. | Every 10 years or more often as directed by your doctor |
| Immunizations | ||
| Influenza (Flu) | The CDC suggests that everyone 6 months and older should get vaccinated against the flu every year. The flu can be potentially serious for anyone, regardless of your age or health status. | Annually |
| COVID-19 | The COVID-19 vaccine will help keep you from getting seriously ill, even if you do get COVID-19. Protecting yourself can also protect the people around you. | Ask your doctor for the latest recommendations |
| Pneumococcal | Pneumococcal pneumonia is a potentially serious lung disease that can be spread from person to person through a cough or close contact. The pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for adults aged 65 years or older. | Once |
| Tdap/Td | Tdap is a combination vaccine that protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Td is a booster vaccine for tetanus and diphtheria. The Tdap vaccine is recommended for all adults ages 19 and older who have never received the vaccine. You may need routine booster shots of the Td vaccine every ten years. | 1 dose of Tdap, then Tdap/Td boosters every 10 years |
| Zoster | The Zoster vaccine is the only way to protect yourself against shingles. Shingles is a painful rash that usually develops on one side of the body. It is recommended that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine called Shingrix separated by two to six months. | 2 doses of Shingrix, 2-6 months apart |