February 12, 2025 — Preventive care can help you avoid potentially serious health conditions, obtain early diagnosis and treatment, and is covered by the Empire Plan. Preventive care includes annual exams, screenings, and immunizations.
Common examples of this type of care include annual wellness visits; cholesterol checks, high blood pressure and diabetes screenings; and cancer screenings, such as mammograms and colonoscopies. Preventive care is important because it can help discover otherwise undetectable issues early, which can help you stay healthy. Accessing prompt treatment when recommended may also help reduce your overall medical expenses.
Well-child visits for younger members of families are also covered. They include height, weight, and body mass index measurements, developmental screenings, behavioral assessments, and medical history, as well as any associated screenings, tests, counseling, and vaccines. This includes developmental/autism screening up to age 3, counseling for interpersonal and domestic violence, and COVID-19 vaccines. A full list of covered preventative screenings, tests, counseling and vaccines for children can be found at MyNYSHIP,
Adult yearly preventive care physical and well-woman exams are covered, as well as the associated screenings, tests, counseling and vaccines. This includes depression and anxiety screening, cancer screening, skin cancer counseling, and certain over-the-counter medications. A full list of covered preventative adult screenings, tests, counseling, medications and vaccines can be found via MyNYSHIP,
How to Minimize Out-Of-Pocket Costs
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- Choose a participating provider and network facility
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- Stay up to date on preventive care (annual checkups)
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- Stay informed about your prescription drug benefits (CVS Caremark)
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- Understand key health insurance terms
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- Review your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements
If you have questions about coverage, benefits, or need assistance, call The Empire Plan toll-free at 877-7-NYSHIP (877-769-7447), choose the Medical/Surgical Program and then press or say “1” to speak to a representative. The Empire Plan NurseLine is also available for health information and support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 1-877-7-NYSHIP (1-877-769-7447) and press or say “5.”