Getting Ready for Your Preventive Care Visit

Preventive care is a key foundation of good health. It requires ongoing commitment to recommended cancer screenings and lab tests at appropriate intervals. Your annual physical is a great opportunity to address these essential screenings.

The reality: most people walk into preventive care appointments unprepared—and leave confused, with vague or unsatisfactory answers. It’s easy to forget your top concerns and needs in the moment.

The U.S. healthcare system does not make access to preventive services easy. Insurance coverage—and its many rules—can be overwhelming and confusing, making it difficult to know when and if you qualify for certain services.

Prepared patients are more likely to receive better care. It’s important to ask the right questions, understand your results, and follow through on recommendations. Make sure you leave with clear answers and a specific action plan, rather than vague advice. Address health concerns early—when treatment is most effective and least invasive.

Preparation matters. Walking into your appointment ready ensures those valuable minutes with your doctor lead to meaningful answers.

What to Bring To Your Preventative Care Visit

Walking into your appointment with the right paperwork and information saves time and prevents important details from being missed. Having everything organized ahead of time means you can focus on the conversation with your doctor instead of scrambling to remember details.

The paperwork you need:

• Insurance card – Both sides. Take a photo as backup. Ask when you check in: "Are all my preventive services today covered at 100%?"
• Every medication you take – Prescriptions, over-the-counter pills, vitamins, supplements, even that herbal tea you drink for sleep. Dosages matter. Pro tip: take pictures of medication bottles or consider bringing medications in for review.
• Your family's health story – Cancer, heart disease, diabetes, mental health conditions. Include parents, siblings, grandparents if you know. Ages when diagnosed or passed away.
• Your own medical history – Surgeries, hospitalizations, chronic conditions, allergies- don’t forget previous tosillectectomy from childhood! Pro tip: Keep this information in your phone in Notes app

Questions That Get You Answers

The right questions turn a routine visit into a productive conversation about your health. Doctors appreciate patients who come with specific questions—it shows engagement and often results in an improvement of meeting expectations when it comes to your care.

The essentials:

• "Based on my age and risk factors, which preventive screenings am I due for now?"
• "Which ones should I schedule for next year?"
• "Are there any screenings I should get earlier or more often because of my family history?"

The specifics:

• "When and how will I get my test results?" (Never leave without knowing this)
• "What happens if something is abnormal?" (Get the plan before you need it)
• "Who will be contacting me—your office or the lab?"
• "Should I call if I don't hear back by [specific date]?"

Others to consider:

• "What's the ONE thing I could change that would make the biggest difference to my health?"
• "Based on what you're seeing, what am I at highest risk for?"
• "What warning signs should I watch for between now and my next visit?"

How to Actually Get What You Need During Your Preventative Care Visit

Once you're in the room, it's easy to feel rushed or forget what you wanted to discuss. These strategies help you stay focused and ensure you leave with clear answers and next steps. And remember: Be honest, even when it's uncomfortable.

• Doctors visits are confidential and questions about your mental health or other topics may be asked. Please be open with your doctor. They can't help you if they don't know what you are dealing with.
• If you're not ready to talk about something, consider saying: "I'm not up to talking about that today, but I know to contact you when I’m ready”.

Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification:

• "Can you explain that in more general language"
• "I need to write this down—can you repeat that?"
• "What exactly does that mean for me?"

Don't pretend to understand. Keep asking until you do.

Get it in writing:

• Ask for an After Visit Summary—it's your receipt for healthcare, required after your Annual Wellness Visit
• If visit time is limited: "Before we finish, what are my action items?"
• Take photos of any paperwork they hand you

How to Stop Things from Falling Through the Cracks

The follow-through after your visit is just as important as the appointment itself. Too many patients leave without knowing how they'll get results or what happens next—

Before you leave the building:

• Schedule any follow-up appointments or tests they recommended
• Ask: "Was everything coded as preventive care for insurance?"
• Get direct phone numbers: "Who do I call if I have questions about my results?"

When you get home:

• Set reminders for when test results should arrive
• If results don't come when promised, follow up
• Start a simple health file—paper or digital. Future you will thank present you.

The follow-through that matters:

• Normal results still deserve a conversation. "Normal" doesn't always mean optimal.
• Abnormal results require a plan. Understand what they exactly mean and next steps.
• If you're told to make lifestyle changes, ask for specific resources.

When Your Preventative Care Visit Goes Wrong

Sometimes appointments don't go as planned—your concerns get dismissed, you feel rushed, or you leave with more questions than answers. You have options when this happens, and it's important to know how to advocate for better care.

Be willing to say:

• "I need more time to discuss this. Can we schedule a follow-up?"
• "I don't feel my concerns are being heard.
• "I'd like a second opinion on this."
• You can always find a new doctor that may better align with your needs

The healthcare system assumes your passivity. Prove them wrong- Ask questions. Take notes. Follow up. Get what you need.

Preventive care is only beneficial if you get it—and get it right.

Overcoming the Real Barriers to Preventive Care

Even when you know preventive care is important, real obstacles can stand in your way—cost, insurance confusion, scheduling challenges, or feeling uncomfortable in medical settings. These barriers are common, but there are practical solutions that can help you get the care you deserve.

"I Can't Afford Prevention"

Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans must cover preventive services at 100%. No associated co-pays or deductibles.

The healthcare system is challenging to navigate. Insurance companies do not provide this information readily and use complex language, which results in you needing to jump through hoops for the care you deserve.

What actually works:

• Call your insurance and ask specifically: "Is this preventive service covered at 100% with an in-network provider?" Consider getting it in writing.
• Can't afford insurance? Community health centers offer care on a sliding scale based on your income.
• Ask your doctor's office about Patient Assistance Programs—many screening programs have programs for more affordable testing
• Check if you qualify for Medicaid— federally- funded medical insurance coverage designed for low income individuals and families.

"I Can't Get an Appointment"

Three-month waits for a 15-minute visit? Ensure access to timely care-

• Book your next year's preventive visit before you leave the office
• Nurse practitioners and physician assistants may have sooner openings
• Ask to be on the cancellation list
• Consider telehealth for some preventive services
• Multi-task at your appointments: "While I'm here, can we also do my depression screening and update my vaccines?"

"I Can't Get There"

Real solutions that work if you have transportation barriers:

• Many insurance plans cover medical transportation
• Community health centers may have van transportation services
• Some appointments can occur over video or by phone
• Churches, senior centers, and community groups sometimes organize transportation to medical appointments
• Schedule multiple appointments on the same day to make one trip count

"Doctors Make Me Anxious"

You may have fears and anxiety about seeking care at a medical office due to past, negative experiences. You deserve care delivered by a doctor you feel comfortable with.

• Tell your doctor: "Medical settings make me anxious." This opens the possibility of slowing the appointment down and feelings of safety.
• Bring someone you trust to appointments
• Write down your questions beforehand—anxiety can cause forgetfulness
• Ask for your blood pressure to be taken at the end of the visit (it's often lower once you’ve settled in for at least 30 minutes)
• Look for providers who share your background and acknowledge your cultural roots

"I Feel Misunderstood”

Whether it's language, culture, or feeling misunderstood, having a trusting relationship with a doctor who understands you is critical.

You have rights:

• By law, healthcare facilities must provide interpreters for free—never use family members as interpreters for complex medical discussions
• "Can you explain that in simpler terms?" is always an appropriate request
• "Can you write that down for me?" helps when medical terms get overwhelming
• Cultural competency matters—look for providers who understand your community's specific health needs

The Truth About These Barriers

The healthcare system is designed for confusion and ultimately a lack of thorough understanding.  With every barrier lies an opportunity to overcome them and receive the care you deserve.

Help is available to you- whether it is through a patient advocate, social worker at your clinic, or a good friend—you don't have to navigate this alone. Getting help is taking a stand for YOU.

How Solace Transforms Your Preventive Care

Our focus is being partners in your health through the following ways:

Your Personal Prevention Plan

We start by understanding your complete picture—family history, lifestyle, and current health. We create a personalized screening schedule for you and coordinate with your doctors. We ensure that your insurance benefits are utilized optimally so that nothing slips through the cracks.

We Connect the Dots

We make sure every provider has your complete medical records with organized test results that are up to date and easily understood.

Breaking Down Barriers

Our interest is optimizing access to care and understanding of your health. We assist with locating in-network providers, providing a thorough understanding of insurance benefits/optimizing preventative care.

Before, During, and After

We will assist you with preparing the right questions and documents. We discuss your results in detail, including what they mean, and schedule recommended follow-up with your PCP if needed.

More Than Logistics

We explain why each screening matters for YOU, specifically. When you face tough decisions or unpredictable results, we're here to support you.

Navigating healthcare is not intuitive. With Solace Advocates in your corner, you gain access to health care professionals who know the system inside out—and make it work for you.

Preventative Care is your power tool for maintaining long-term health and overall well-being.

We know with certainty- prevention works. Early detection saves lives. Most services are covered completely by insurance. At Solace, we want to be your partner in your health efforts-don't navigate this alone! Through a dedicated advocate, support is available. Early answers are empowering. Scheduling screenings early can prevent serious diseases or allow for treatment when it is most effective. The healthcare system is complex; partnering with Solace can ensure nothing important is overlooked. Your investment in preventative care can avoid much larger health problems and expenses later. Take control of your health journey by creating your personalized preventative care plan today.

‍This article is for informational purposes only and should not be substituted for professional advice. Information is subject to change. Consult your healthcare provider or a qualified professional for guidance on medical issues, financial concerns, or healthcare benefits.