Staying well starts with prevention
June is National Men's Health Month, a time to highlight the importance of preventive care in supporting long-term health and well-being for men and those who care for them. Preventive care plays a key role in helping men stay healthy by identifying potential health concerns early and improving outcomes through timely treatment.
Did you know?
Approximately one in seven men in the U.S. is considered to be in poor or fair health, underscoring the importance of preventive care.
Preventive care through the Medical Plan
If you're enrolled in the
Medical Plan, you have coverage for preventive care benefits for you and any covered family members. When you use network providers, the following services are covered at 100%*:
- yearly well visits with a primary care physician**
- health screenings and immunizations listed on the Preventive Schedule
To qualify as preventive care, you must visit your doctor without signs or symptoms of illness. Otherwise, you may be responsible for applicable copays, deductibles, and/or coinsurance.
You can make the most of your visit by reviewing the Preventive Schedule in advance, bringing a list of current medications, and knowing your personal and family medical history. Planning ahead will help you feel prepared and maximize the time with your doctor.
Preventive screenings commonly recommended for men
The Preventive Schedule outlines a range of screenings and services recommended based on age and gender. For men, this commonly includes:
- heart and metabolic health screenings
- cancer‑related screenings, including those specific to the prostate
- mental health and substance use screenings
- recommended immunizations
To simplify care, many of these screenings and services can be done during your annual well visit.
Learning and wellness support
In addition to preventive care benefits, your medical coverage includes learning and wellness resources to support men's health.
Medical Plan members can explore the
Call to Health*** website and Wellness At Your Side app, which include articles focused on men's cancer prevention and early detection, as well as other topics that support a healthy lifestyle. Call to Health encourages participants to focus on all areas of wholeness through education and engagement. And when you complete Call to Health by Nov. 6, 2026, you'll earn reduced medical deductible(s) for 2027.
Keep in mind, too, that while mental health is one of the keys to overall well-being, many people struggle in silence due to social pressures and perceived stigma, making them less likely to recognize or acknowledge mental health issues. Spring Health, the service provider for
Mental Well-Being and Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) benefits, offers a wealth of confidential resources designed to bolster your mental well-being. Spring Health makes accessing timely and personalized support easy for you and covered family members — whether you need short-term help or long-term care.
As a Benefits Plan member, you also have access to Lifelong Learning — holistic education programs led by expert educators and designed to support members at specific stages of life. The Lifelong Learning e‑learning site offers a recording titled Men's Health: Breaking Through the Silence, along with other sessions that foster spiritual, health, financial, and vocational well‑being.
Caring for health all year long
Prioritizing your health means making preventive care a regular priority, not just an occasional task. Taking advantage of these benefits can be an important step toward staying well — this month and throughout the year.
*Retired members with medical coverage through the Board of Pensions and those enrolled in Triple-S or Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions (formerly GeoBlue) also have preventive care benefits under their plans, but coverage details may differ. Consult your plan's provisions for details.
**Visits do not need to be 12 months apart and may be scheduled anytime between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 each calendar year. Triple-S and Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions (formerly GeoBlue) preventive care benefits may differ; consult your plan's provisions for details.
***Call to Health is not available to employees or family members enrolled in Triple-S, Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions (formerly GeoBlue), or the post-retirement medical plan.
