There are numerous articles about preventive services, but can these initiatives decrease healthcare costs? It might be worth the doctor visit, but we all have to help! In the past few years, there has been an increased emphasis on preventive services. A preventive service is precautionary measure to prevent disease, disability, and death, while promoting healthy lives. The theory is illnesses or problems can be detected early or at onset of ailment in an effort to decrease chronic illnesses.
The truth is 75% of healthcare spending is for Preventable Chronic Diseases! This is reported from numerous studies, but most widely cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This statistic alone tells us, prevention is a must.
The issue is to prevent onset of illness, we all have to receive regular screenings. In the U.S., 9.3% of Americans have Diabetes, which equates to $245B each year. If screenings are covered and detection can reduce illness, why wouldn’t we want to go for the doctor’s visit?
The caveat is to fully prevent illness we must also be accountable for our health. We have to follow the advice provided from our doctors after the visit to really reduce costs. Checking for diabetes is a great tool, but Type II can only be prevented from a combination approach. Preventive services are a great start, but to thoroughly reduce healthcare costs there should at least 2-fold approach.