Insurance covers preventive care

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Most high-deductible health plans linked to health savings accounts provide first-dollar coverage for vaccines, screenings and physicals, a U.S. survey finds.

America's Health Insurance Plans surveyed its members to examine the preventive benefits provided by high-deductible health plans, or HDHP, which are policies compatible with a health savings account, or HSA. The survey found most HSA/HDHP policies cover recommended preventive benefits on a "first dollar" basis -- without regard to whether the deductible is met.

Ninety-nine percent of the HSA/HDHP policies purchased in the large-group market and 96 percent of the small-group market provide first-dollar coverage for preventive care.

One hundred percent of the HSA/HDHP policies offer first-dollar coverage for adult and child immunizations; well-baby and well-child care; mammography; Pap tests; and annual physical exams and screenings. Nearly 90 percent provide first-dollar coverage for prostate cancer screenings and 83 percent offer this coverage for colonoscopies.

AHIP is a trade association representing nearly 1,300 member companies that provide health insurance coverage to more than 200 million Americans