Health insurance, in plain English.
Short answers to the things clients ask us most. No jargon, and nothing you need to sign in to read.
Care that's already paid for.
Every Marketplace plan covers this list with no copay and no coinsurance. You don't need to have met your deductible. Most people never use it.
Tap any item to see what it is and why it's worth doing. This is general information: your doctor can tell you which of these are right for you.
Four things worth knowing first
- Use an in-network provider
- These are free when you go to a provider in your plan's network. Out of network, you may be charged the full amount. Worth checking before you book.
- Your deductible doesn't apply
- You don't have to meet your deductible first. These are free from the start of the plan year.
- A screening can turn into a diagnosis
- If your doctor finds something and treats it during the same visit, that part is normal care and can be billed. It's fair to ask beforehand whether the visit is billed as a screening.
- $0 isn't guaranteed in every case
- Plans differ, and so do the rules for age and risk. If you're not sure whether something is covered for you, call us before the appointment and we'll check.
For all adults
Covered with no copay or coinsurance on every Marketplace plan.
Blood pressure screening
A quick cuff check at a routine visit. High blood pressure rarely causes symptoms, and catching it early helps prevent heart attack, stroke and kidney damage.
Cholesterol screening — certain ages, or at higher risk
A blood test for the fats that can build up in your arteries. Knowing your numbers lets you and your doctor act before it leads to heart disease.
Depression screening
A few questions about mood, sleep and energy. Depression is common and treatable, and many people don't recognise it in themselves.
Obesity screening and counseling
Your doctor checks weight and BMI and can offer counseling on eating and activity. Small changes lower the risk of diabetes, heart disease and joint problems.
Tobacco use screening, and help quitting
Your doctor asks whether you smoke or vape and can offer counseling and quit medication. Quitting at any age improves your heart and lung health.
Alcohol misuse screening and counseling
A short set of questions about drinking, with advice if it would help. Cutting back lowers the risk of liver disease, injury and some cancers.
Diet counseling — adults at higher risk of chronic disease
Sessions with your doctor or a dietitian on healthy eating. Useful if you're at risk of heart disease or diabetes, where diet makes a real difference.
Immunizations — flu, COVID-19, shingles, tetanus and others
Vaccines recommended for your age and health. They protect you, and the people around you, from illnesses that can be serious for adults.
Colorectal cancer screening — ages 45 to 75
A stool test or colonoscopy that looks for early signs of colon cancer. Found early, it is among the most treatable cancers, and some tests remove growths before they turn cancerous.
Lung cancer screening — ages 50 to 80, at high risk
A yearly low-dose CT scan for people with a long smoking history. It can find lung cancer early, when treatment works best.
Type 2 diabetes screening — ages 40 to 70, overweight or obese
A blood test for high blood sugar. Diabetes can develop for years without symptoms, and early treatment helps protect your heart, eyes, kidneys and nerves.
Hepatitis C screening — ages 18 to 79
A one-time blood test for a liver virus many people don't know they carry. Hepatitis C can now usually be cured, before it damages the liver.
Hepatitis B screening — higher-risk adults
A blood test for a liver virus. Knowing lets you get treatment and protect the people close to you.
HIV screening — ages 15 to 65, and other ages at higher risk
A blood or saliva test. Treatment keeps people with HIV healthy and prevents passing it on, so knowing your status matters.
PrEP — medication to prevent HIV — HIV-negative adults at high risk
A daily pill or regular injection that greatly lowers the chance of getting HIV for people at higher risk. The medication and the checkups it needs are covered.
Syphilis screening — higher-risk adults
A blood test. Syphilis is easy to cure with antibiotics, but left untreated it can cause serious problems years later.
Tuberculosis screening — certain higher-risk adults with no symptoms
A skin or blood test for TB you may have been exposed to but have no symptoms from. Treating it early stops it becoming active and spreading.
Sexually transmitted infection prevention counseling — higher-risk adults
A conversation with your doctor about lowering your risk. Many infections have no symptoms, so prevention and testing go together.
Statin medication — ages 40 to 75, at high risk
A cholesterol-lowering medicine for adults at higher risk of heart disease. It lowers the chance of a heart attack or stroke.
Aspirin to prevent heart disease and colorectal cancer — ages 50 to 59, at high risk
Low-dose aspirin for some adults at high risk. It isn't right for everyone because of bleeding risk, so it's a decision to make with your doctor.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening, once — men of certain ages who have smoked
A one-time ultrasound of the main artery in your belly. An aneurysm there usually causes no symptoms until it becomes dangerous, and finding it early allows it to be monitored or repaired.
Fall prevention — exercise, physical therapy and vitamin D — ages 65 and over
Exercise and physical therapy to improve strength and balance. Falls are a leading cause of injury after 65, and these lower the risk.
For women
In addition to everything on the list above.
Well-woman visits
A yearly checkup focused on women's health, where many of the screenings on this list happen. A good time to raise any questions or changes.
Breast cancer screening mammogram — every 1 to 2 years from age 40
An X-ray of the breast that can find cancer before a lump can be felt. Early detection makes treatment simpler and more successful.
Cervical cancer screening (Pap test) — ages 21 to 65
A Pap test, HPV test or both, during a pelvic exam. It finds cell changes before they become cancer, when they are easy to treat.
BRCA genetic test counseling
Counseling for women whose family history suggests an inherited risk of breast or ovarian cancer. It helps you decide whether genetic testing makes sense.
Breast cancer chemoprevention counseling
A conversation about medicines that can lower breast cancer risk for women at higher risk. Your doctor helps weigh the benefits and side effects.
Bone density screening — age 65 and over
A quick, painless scan that measures bone strength. It finds osteoporosis before a fracture does, so it can be treated.
Birth control — FDA-approved methods, and sterilization procedures
Prescribed contraception and the visits that go with it. You choose the method that suits you, with no copay.
Chlamydia screening
A simple urine or swab test. Chlamydia often has no symptoms, and untreated it can affect fertility.
Urinary incontinence screening
A few questions about bladder leaks. It's common, often treatable, and worth raising even if it feels awkward.
Domestic violence screening and counseling
Your doctor may ask privately whether you feel safe at home, and can connect you with support and resources.
Diabetes screening — with a history of gestational diabetes
A blood sugar test after a pregnancy with gestational diabetes, which raises the risk of type 2 diabetes later.
If you're pregnant, or might become pregnant
Covered before, during and after pregnancy.
Folic acid supplements
A daily vitamin before and during early pregnancy. It helps prevent serious birth defects of the brain and spine.
Gestational diabetes screening
A blood sugar test during pregnancy. Diabetes that starts in pregnancy can be managed to keep you and your baby healthy.
Preeclampsia prevention and screening
Blood pressure checks throughout pregnancy, and low-dose aspirin for some at higher risk. Preeclampsia can be serious, and early care helps.
Hepatitis B screening — at the first prenatal visit
A blood test at the first prenatal visit. If needed, your baby can be protected right after birth.
Rh incompatibility screening
A blood test for your blood type. If yours and your baby's don't match, a simple treatment protects this and future pregnancies.
Urinary tract infection screening
A urine test early in pregnancy. An infection without symptoms can still cause problems, and it is easy to treat.
Gonorrhea and syphilis screening
Blood and swab tests early in pregnancy. Treating these infections protects your baby.
Maternal depression screening
Questions about mood during and after pregnancy. Depression around pregnancy is common and treatable, and help is available.
Breastfeeding support, counseling and supplies
Help from a lactation specialist, and a breast pump. Support makes a real difference, especially in the first weeks.
Tobacco counseling
Help quitting smoking during pregnancy, which lowers the risk of early birth and low birth weight.
For children
From newborn checks through to the teenage years.
Well-baby and well-child visits
Regular checkups that track growth and development, and where most of these screenings and vaccines happen.
Immunizations
The vaccine schedule from birth through the teen years. It protects against illnesses like measles, whooping cough and meningitis.
Height, weight and BMI measurements
Measured at each checkup to make sure your child is growing on track.
Vision screening
A simple eye test. Catching vision problems early helps with reading, learning and eye development.
Hearing screening — newborns, then regularly
A quick, painless test at birth and at later checkups. Good hearing matters for speech and learning.
Newborn blood screening
A few drops of blood from your baby's heel, tested for rare conditions that are treatable when found early.
Bilirubin, hypothyroidism and PKU screening — newborns
Tests at birth for jaundice, thyroid problems and a metabolic condition. Each is manageable when caught right away.
Sickle cell screening — newborns
Part of the newborn blood test. Early diagnosis means early care and fewer complications.
Antibiotic eye ointment — newborns, to prevent gonorrhea infection
Ointment given right after birth to protect your baby's eyes from infection.
Developmental screening — under age 3
A checklist of milestones like talking, moving and playing. Early support helps most when delays are spotted young.
Autism screening — at 18 and 24 months
A short questionnaire at checkups. Early evaluation and support make a real difference.
Behavioral assessments
Your doctor checks on your child's behavior and emotional health as they grow, and can help with concerns.
Depression screening — routinely from age 12
A short questionnaire at checkups from age 12. Depression in teens is common and treatable.
Blood pressure screening
Checked at regular visits. High blood pressure can start in childhood.
Obesity screening and counseling
Your doctor tracks growth and can offer support on healthy eating and activity for the whole family.
Oral health risk assessment — 6 months to 6 years
Your child's doctor checks their teeth and gums and may refer you to a dentist. Healthy baby teeth matter for adult teeth.
Fluoride varnish — infants and children with teeth
A coating painted on children's teeth at checkups. It helps prevent cavities.
Fluoride supplements — where drinking water has no fluoride
Drops or tablets where tap water lacks fluoride, to help prevent tooth decay.
Lead screening — at-risk children
A blood test for children who may have been exposed to lead, which can affect learning and development.
Hematocrit or hemoglobin screening
A blood test for anemia, which can cause tiredness and affect growth.
Dyslipidemia (cholesterol) screening — ages 9 to 11 and 17 to 21
A cholesterol blood test at set ages. High cholesterol can start in childhood.
Alcohol, tobacco and drug use assessment — adolescents
A private conversation with your teen at checkups, to support healthy choices early.
Tuberculin testing — higher-risk children
A skin or blood test for children who may have been exposed to TB.
HIV and hepatitis B screening — higher-risk adolescents
Blood tests for teens at higher risk, so any infection can be treated early.
PrEP — medication to prevent HIV
Medication that greatly lowers the chance of getting HIV, for teens at high risk.
Sexually transmitted infection counseling and screening — higher-risk adolescents
Confidential guidance and testing for teens at higher risk. Many infections have no symptoms.
Not sure whether something on this list is covered for you? Call us on (803) 761-0222and we'll check your plan with you.
Based on the Marketplace list of covered preventive services, last checked September 2026. Coverage rules can change from one plan year to the next.
These guides explain how coverage generally works. Your own plan is what decides what you pay — give us a call and we'll look it up with you.