Men are less likely than women to get annual preventive checkups, according to the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC). Increase your odds of living healthier and longer by making healthy choices, like getting regular preventive care. Use the resources and guidelines below to guide you to better health habits and routines.
Make your health a priority
Your HealthSelectSM medical plan covers preventive care, including preventive screenings like colonoscopies, at no cost to you. If you are enrolled in HealthSelect of Texas®, you must have a primary care provider (PCP) on file with BCBSTX to coordinate your care to get the highest level of benefits. Learn more about choosing a PCP.
Speak with your PCP about the following recommended screenings*and any other screenings based on your age, health and family history:
CDC Recommended Health Screenings for Men
Immunizations:
- Tetanus/diphtheria (Tdap) - adults should get a tetanus-diphtheria (Tdap) booster every 10 years
- Influenza (flu shot) - recommended every year
- Pneumococcal - protects against pneumonia, recommended for adults over 65 years old, and younger than 65 if you have certain chronic health conditions
- Hepatitis A (HepA) and B (HepB) - recommended depending on your existin health conditions and lifestyle, discuss with your PCP
- Varicella (Chickenpox) - two doses if no evidence of immunity, meaning if you never had chicken pox or are unsure
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) - one or two doses for adults ages 18-55 if no evidence of immunity
- Herpes Zoster (Shingles) - recommended for adults 60 years or older
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) - three doses for men ages 18-21
- Meningococcal B (Men B) - depends on existing health conditions, discuss with your PCP
- Meningococcal A, C, W, Y (MenACWY) - recommended for first year college students or military recruits who live in residential housing and were not vaccinated at age 16 or older
- Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) - one dose if not previously received
Preventive Screenings:
The following are standard recommended screenings for men depending on age group. Your doctor may require screenings earlier and more often than listed to help ensure that your health is trending in a positive direction if you fall into the high-risk category.
- Height and weight = Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol screening - ages 40-75, and ages 20-39 if you have a risk for coronary heart disease
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Depression - if you have felt "down," sad or hopeless over the last two weeks or have felt little interest or pleasure in doing things, you may be depressed
For ages 45+:
- Prostate screening
- Colon cancer screening
For ages 65-75:
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm - abnormally large or swollen blood vessel in your abdomen, you should have an ultrasound once between ages 65-75 if you have ever smoked
Additional Resources
- Adult Wellness Guidelines flier
- Preventive Services flier
Don't neglect your mental health
Your coverage includes care for many mental health concerns like depression, anxiety and drug and alcohol issues. This includes mental health Virtual Visits through MDLIVE®and Doctor On Demand®. Mental health Virtual Visits are covered at 100% if you are enrolled in HealthSelect of Texas®, HealthSelectSM Out-of-State or HealthSelectSM Secondary.
If you are enrolled in Consumer Directed HealthSelectSM, you must meet your annual deductible before Virtual Visits are covered. After you meet your deductible, you will pay 20% coinsurance. Learn about your mental health care options by visiting theMental Healthpage.
Use HealthSelectShoppERSSM tosave money and earn rewards
With HealthSelectShoppERS, you may be eligible to earn up to $500 per year in a TexFlexSM health care flexible spending account (FSA) for choosing lower-cost, quality options for medical services like cancer screenings and CT Scans. (For Consumer Directed HealthSelectparticipants, any rewards earned will be deposited into a limited-purpose FSA that can be used for eligible dental and vision expenses.)Learn more.
- Learn how Michael earned a $100 incentive for his CT scan.
Well onTarget®programs support your healthy lifestyle
Well onTarget offers digital self-management programs to support physical and mental health.Learn more.
BCBSTX Personal Health Assistants are available
by phone
Call a BCBSTX Personal Health
Assistant toll-free
(800) 252-8039 (TTY:711)
Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and
Saturday 7 a.m.-3 p.m. CT.
*Recommendations may vary. Discuss screening options with your health care provider, especially if you are at increased risk.
**A health care provider could be a doctor, primary care provider, physician assistant, nurse practitioner or other health care professional. ** Recommendations may vary. Discuss the start and frequency of screenings with your health care provider, especially if you are at increased risk.