Preventive care is any medical service that protects against or reduces the likelihood of health emergencies. It is covered under the Affordable Care Act and helps keeps health care costs low.

Preventative care is health care that prevents disease, injury, or illness, rather than treating a condition that has already become catastrophic or acute. The goal of preventive care is to help people stay healthy.

Preventative care can include:

Doctor visits, such as annual physicals, well-child visits, annual gynecological care, and dental cleanings:

• Immunizations
• Contraception
• Allergy medications
• Insulin
• Colonoscopies and mammograms
• Screenings, such as tests for skin cancer, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol

Preventive care also keeps people productive and active, enabling them to keep earning well into their senior years. Preventive care helps lower health care costs in America by preventing or treating diseases before they require emergency room care.