Preventive Care

Defining key terms:
Chronic Disease: Conditions that last 1 year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both. Examples include heart disease, arthritis, type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, some cancers, and poor bone health. Risk Factors (for Chronic Disease): Activities (for example, smoking, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, or excessive alcohol use) or attributes (for example, genetics) that increase a person’s likelihood of a chronic disease. Primary Care: Health services that cover a range of prevention, wellness, and treatment for common illnesses. Primary care providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with patients and treat a range of health-related issues. These providers may also coordinate a patient’s care with specialists. Preventive Care: Health care that aims to prevent illnesses, disease, or limit the impact of chronic diseases. Preventive care may include screenings, vaccines, check-ups, and patient counseling. Examples include an annual wellness or “Welcome to Medicare” visit. (Preventive Services)

Defining key terms:

Chronic Disease: Conditions that last 1 year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both. Examples include heart disease, arthritis, type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, some cancers, and poor bone health.
Risk Factors (for Chronic Disease): Activities (for example, smoking, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, or excessive alcohol use) or attributes (for example, genetics) that increase a person’s likelihood of a chronic disease.
Primary Care: Health services that cover a range of prevention, wellness, and treatment for common illnesses. Primary care providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with patients and treat a range of health-related issues. These providers may also coordinate a patient’s care with specialists.
Preventive Care: Health care that aims to prevent illnesses, disease, or limit the impact of chronic diseases. Preventive care may include screenings, vaccines, check-ups, and patient counseling. Examples include an annual wellness or “Welcome to Medicare” visit. (Preventive Services)

Preventive Care Defined

Preventive health care aims to block or delay the development of illness, disease, and other health-related issues, and limit the negative impacts of chronic diseases. It includes activities that support early detection and management of potential problems before they develop into chronic conditions. Addressing health concerns early can improve long-term health outcomes.

Preventive care services include:

Annual Wellness Visits and Physical Exams, for instance with a primary care doctor
Health Screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar for diabetes, and various cancer screenings such as colonoscopies and mammograms
Vaccinations and Immunizations for flu and pneumococcal disease
Mental Health Screenings for conditions like depression and anxiety
Risk Factor Assessments to identify lifestyle or genetic factors that may contribute to chronic diseases
Counseling or lifestyle guidance on diet, exercise, managing stress, and other ways to improve overall health and well-being

Why is Preventive Care Important?

Over half of all adult Americans live with at least one chronic disease. Conditions like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. They are often challenging and expensive to treat.

Identifying and addressing potential health risks early can often help people to have healthier, longer lives and avoid costly treatments. When the risk cannot be avoided, treating an issue earlier can slow down the severity of the disease and help people optimally manage their condition long-term.

Giving people the tools and knowledge to take control of their health not only leads to improved health outcomes, but also to long-term wellbeing and financial savings.

Preventive Care in Action

Sarah is a 28-year-old woman on Medicaid. At her annual wellness visit, her primary care doctor reviews Sarah’s medical history; conducts a routine physical exam, which includes checking her blood pressure and heart rate; discusses nutrition, physical activity and other health habits; and offers a flu vaccine.

During the visit, Sarah mentions feeling very tired, which is impacting her work. Her doctor asks follow-up questions about stress, sleep, depression and anxiety, and schedules bloodwork to rule out any related health conditions. Sarah receives a referral to a local therapist. Her doctor also provides Sarah with information resources to help with mental health, exercise and nutrition. They schedule a follow-up visit to see how Sarah is feeling and to review any issues with the blood test results.

Sarah feels empowered to be an active participant in her own health care by taking steps to stay healthy and manage any potential issues.

Additional Information

The following CMS Innovation Center models promote preventive care:

Learn more about how the CMS Innovation Center promotes prevention care:

Strategic Direction

Originally posted on: June 2, 2025

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