Parenting 101 – List of Preventive Services for Children

The preventive check-ups included in your well-child visit may be covered at no cost when you go to your child’s in-network doctor, since most plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) cover preventive health services for children. Trying to protect your kids from every danger known to man is nerve-wracking, and frankly, impossible. Believe me, I’ve tried! Tah-dah! That’s one less thing parents have to worry about.

One of the first duties we have as parents is to ensure our kids’ health and make them feel loved. It starts during pregnancy with prenatal care, and continues long after they enter the world. Teaching them about well-checks is a way to help to teach them healthy habits for the future.  Making sure your child is up to date on their well-child visits is one of the many ways to express your endless love and commitment to their health.

At your scheduled well-child visit the health care provider will perform a complete physical examination and ask questions about your child’s development. They will also take the opportunity to record your child’s weight, height and other important information. Preventive services for children also include immunizations for children from birth to age 18. There is a long list of preventive services for children and teens covered under ACA. Some of these preventive services for children are (in alphabetical order):

• Alcohol and Drug Use – assessments for adolescents
• Autism – screening for children at 18 and 24 months
• Blood Pressure – screening for children ages 0 – 17 years old
• Cervical Dysplasia – screening for sexually active females ages 11-17
• Depression – screening for adolescents ages 11-17
• Dyslipidemia – screening for children at higher risk of lipid disorders ages 1-17
• Gonorrhea – prevention medication for the eyes of all newborns
• Hearing – screening for all newborns
• Height, Weight and Body Mass Index – measurements for children ages 0-17 years old
• Hematocrit or Hemoglobin – screening for children
• HIV – screening for adolescents at higher risk
• Hypothyroidism – screening for newborns
• Immunization– vaccines for children from birth to age 18 — doses, recommended ages, and recommended populations vary:
  • Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Inactivated Poliovirus
  • Influenza (Flu Shot)
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
  • Meningococcal
  • Pneumococcal
  • Rotavirus
  • Varicella (Chickenpox)
• Iron – supplements for children ages 6 to 12 months at risk for anemia
• Lead – screening for children at risk of exposure
• Obesity – screening and counseling
• Oral Health – risk assessment for young children
• Phenylketonuria (PKU) – screening for this genetic disorder in newborns
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) – prevention counseling and screening for adolescents at higher risk
• Tuberculin – testing for children at higher risk of tuberculosis
• Vision – screening for all children

We interviewed a bunch of kids to find out their thoughts on immunizations, and their answers are adorable! Check out the video:

For most health plans, these visits are covered as ‘wellness  visits’ with no out of pocket expense! (Call the number on the back of your card for benefits.)  

So, don’t wait! Put your mind at ease and schedule your child’s next appointment today!