Preventive care for kids
Find out what happens at your school-age children’s preventive care check-ups, when they should get vaccines and how you can help keep them safe and healthy.
Overview
What preventive care screenings for kids are covered by my insurance plan?
Health insurance typically covers preventive care services. This often includes well child visits, immunizations and developmental screenings. Be sure to check your plan for coverage details.
During well child visits, the pediatrician or family practice doctor will check your child’s height and weight, check vision and hearing, and track development milestones. The doctor will also offer information and advice to help keep your child safe and healthy.
Typical preventive care services and screenings for school-age kids:
- Advice on physical activity and oral health
- Measure and discuss healthy weight and body mass index
- Immunizations (vaccines), including DTaP, MMR, flu shots and other vaccines (see descriptions below)
- Development and behavior assessment, including school progress and performance
- Hearing and vision testing
- Advise on safety, such as water or bicycle safety, and injury prevention
- Advise on puberty and sexual health
- Counseling on avoiding tobacco exposure and use
- Lead exposure test
Preventive Care Resources
It’s important to understand what’s medically recommended and what your specific plan covers. Use these resources to research. Find additional details in your benefit booklet.
Schedule
Vaccination & immunization schedule for kids
Ages 6-12
| Vaccine | Purpose | Age |
| DTaP | Protects against Diphtheria, Tetanus & Pertussis | 4-6 years |
| IPV | Protects against Polio | 4-6 years |
| MMR | Protects against Measles, Mumps & Rubella | 4-6 years |
| Varicella | Protects against Chicken Pox | 4-6 years |
| Tdap | Similar to DTap, but made for adolescents | 11-12 years |
| HPV | Protects against human papillomavirus, a major cause of cervical cancer | 11-12 years |
| MenACWY | Protects against bacterial meningitis | 11-12 years 16 years |
| Influenza | Protects against flu | Annually in the fall |
Other preventive care screenings for kids
Ages 6-12
Your child’s doctor may order other preventive exams based on your family history or other risk factors.
Examples may include:
- Screening for cholesterol, blood pressure, sickle cell anemia or other conditions, based on family history or ethnicity
- Skin exam if risk of melanoma, sores or lesions
- Iron supplementing, if risk of iron-deficiency anemia
- Domestic violence (including child abuse) screening and counseling
- Screening for depression or autism, if mood or behavioral concerns
- Nutrition counseling, if weight or growth concerns
What can I do to help my kids stay healthy?
At each visit, your doctor (or pediatric nurse practitioner) will ask you about your child’s growth and offer guidance for keeping your child safe and healthy.
Tips may include:
- Not exposing children to secondhand smoke
- Protecting children from the sun
- Preventing injuries by using car seats and safety helmets
Each provider is an independent contractor and not our agent.