What are preventive services in health insurance designed to do?

Preventive services in health insurance are designed primarily to help prevent illnesses or detect problems early. This aligns with the overall goal of preventive care, which focuses on maintaining health and wellness through regular checkups, screenings, vaccinations, and counseling. By identifying potential health issues before they become more serious or chronic, preventive services can reduce the risk of diseases and lead to better health outcomes.

For instance, routine screenings for conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and cancer can catch these issues early when treatment is often more effective and less costly. Additionally, vaccinations can prevent the onset of infectious diseases, further emphasizing the role of preventive services in public health. The focus is not on managing existing conditions, providing diagnostics, or determining surgical needs, which are typically part of reactive or treatment-focused healthcare rather than prevention.