Preventive care refers to services or tests that help identify health risks and is covered at no cost to you when received in-network. For example, preventive care includes screening mammograms, annual wellness exam/physical and immunizations. In many cases, preventive care helps a patient avoid a serious or even life-threatening disease.
If your annual preventive visit includes discussion or treatment of a specific health issue, you may be required to pay the copay or coinsurance for a regular office visit. Claims are processed based on the diagnosis submitted by the provider, so it is important for the provider to file the claim as preventive.