In the first post of this series, we highlighted some key features of the Affordable Care Act. Today, we’ll discuss how to use your health insurance to stay healthy.

Securing health care coverage was a great first step in maintaining a healthy lifestyle – and it was pretty easy to sign up, right? But, that’s just one piece of the picture. Healthy living is made up of many pieces and all of them fit together to make the complete picture. You already know that things like eating healthy, staying active and getting enough sleep are major pieces of this picture, so how does health insurance fit in this picture?

When you have health insurance, you’re able to get services like preventive health screenings and annual check-ups. Having those services can help you prevent illnesses and detect health problems at an early stage. It also allows you to work with a provider (a doctor, nurse, or other health care professional) who will make sure you get the preventive services that are right for you! However, be sure to check your health insurance plan to know what screenings and office visits are covered.

Next in series: Understand your coverage