Preventive Care

See what's recommended for you and your family.

From flu shots and screenings to physical exams, preventive care helps you stay as healthy as possible. The care you need depends on your age, gender, family history and other factors. If you're new to preventive care, get the basics first.

What is preventive care?

What is covered as preventive?

Choose a category below to see suggestions based on age or gender.

Ease the transition from hospital to home with these tips

Going home after a hospital stay can be overwhelming. By being prepared, you can feel empowered and help make the transition as comfortable as possible.
Men
Seniors
Women
Press pause: The power of your breath

The next time you find stress bubbling in a work meeting or during your carpool pickup, try this quick and easy activity to find calm.
Men
Seniors
Women
What does preventive care cover?

Have you seen your doctor yet for your preventive visit, also known as a routine check-up? Preventive care is important for you and your family’s health.
Children
Men
Seniors
Women
Vaccines for children

Learn how vaccines protect kids from childhood diseases.
Children
Take care of your diabetes and oral health together

Diabetes can cause gum disease, and poor dental health can affect blood sugar. The right diabetes dental care can help.
Men
Women
How to prevent arthritis pain

While you may not be able to prevent or cure arthritis, you can manage some risk factors and protect your joints with a few healthy habits.
Men
Seniors
Women
Sports safety for kids and teens

Kids are more at risk than adults for sports injuries because they are still growing. Teaching kids about sports safety can help prevent injury.
Children
5 ways to protect your eyes

Sunlight. Computers. Tablets and smartphones. They all take a toll on your eyes. Take a few simple steps to keep your eyes healthy and protect your vision.
Men
Women
Routine dental care keeps your mouth and body healthy

Good dental hygiene begins at home and includes regular checkups with a dentist.
Men
Women
8 tips for dental care during pregnancy

Pregnancy can increase your chances of gum disease. Dental visits are safe during pregnancy for most women, so be sure to see your dentist.
Women
Dental care for children

Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children. The right oral care can help your child’s overall health.
Children
The 5 most common eye problems

An eye problem could hit at any time. Some eye issues come with age while others may be a serious condition. Learn the signs of common eye problems.
Men
Seniors
Women
How to check your skin for cancer

Most skin cancers can be successfully treated when found early. Find out how to reduce your risk and check for skin cancer regularly.
Men
Seniors
Women
Ways to lower cholesterol

Learn what causes high cholesterol and guidelines to lower it.
Men
Seniors
Women
A mammogram can help detect breast cancer

Get answers to your mammogram preventive care questions.
Women
Osteoporosis causes and prevention

Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens your bones and makes them more likely to break. Learn about causes and tips to keep bones strong and healthy.
Seniors
Why did I get a bill for a preventive care visit?

Learn the difference between a preventive visit and an office visit, including when you’ll have to pay for the visit.
Men
Women
Preventive care for men

Learn how to prevent prostate cancer and about other preventive screenings for men, especially after age 50.
Men
A colonoscopy can help detect or prevent colon cancer

A colonoscopy is an important preventive care screening test that helps detect pre-cancer or colon cancer. Get answers to your questions about colonoscopies.
Men
Seniors
Women
Annual eye exams can detect diabetic eye disease

Diabetes that is not well managed can lead to eye-related problems. An annual eye exam can help detect diabetic eye diseases so they can be treated early.
Men
Seniors
Women
Physical exams and preventive visits

Preventive care is important to maintaining your health. Learn how to make the most of your annual physical exams, how to find a primary care physician, and more.
Children
Men
Women
Preventive care for new moms and newborns

Now that you’re pregnant, you may be wondering what prenatal care services are covered by your insurance plan and how to stay healthy during pregnancy. We can help.
Children
Women
Breathe easy: preventing asthma attacks

Learn what causes asthma, breathing exercises for asthma, asthma prevention tips, and more from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.
Men
Women
Preventive care for women

Learn when to schedule screening tests, such as mammograms and pap tests, to help prevent or detect possible health concerns.
Women
Preventing cervical cancer

Regular Pap smear tests and the HPV vaccine can help prevent cervical cancer. Learn more about cervical cancer from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.
Women
5 tips to stay hydrated

You lose about 10 cups of water every day by the simple act of living. Knowing how and when to stay hydrated is essential to maintaining your health.
Children
Men
Seniors
Women
Understand diabetes causes, prevention and care

One in three adults are prediabetic and do not know it. See if you are at risk and how to keep yourself and your family healthy.
Children
Men
Seniors
Women
Vaccines for teens and tweens

If your child is between the ages of 11 and 13, it might be time to think about booster shots or vaccines, such as Tdap and the Meningococcal (Meningitis) vaccine.
Children
Answers to the top six questions about the flu shot

Wondering why the influenza vaccine is important? Learn why you should get a flu shot every year.
Children
Men
Seniors
Women

Preventive Care

Preventive care resources

Ease the transition from hospital to home with these tips

Press pause: The power of your breath

What does preventive care cover?

Vaccines for children

Take care of your diabetes and oral health together

How to prevent arthritis pain

Sports safety for kids and teens

5 ways to protect your eyes

Routine dental care keeps your mouth and body healthy

8 tips for dental care during pregnancy

Dental care for children

The 5 most common eye problems

How to check your skin for cancer

Ways to lower cholesterol

A mammogram can help detect breast cancer

Osteoporosis causes and prevention

Why did I get a bill for a preventive care visit?

Preventive care for men

A colonoscopy can help detect or prevent colon cancer

Annual eye exams can detect diabetic eye disease

Physical exams and preventive visits

Preventive care for new moms and newborns

Breathe easy: preventing asthma attacks

Preventive care for women

Preventing cervical cancer

5 tips to stay hydrated

Understand diabetes causes, prevention and care

Vaccines for teens and tweens

Answers to the top six questions about the flu shot