In a new survey of insured adults conducted by Cigna, 45 percent of Americans say they do not know that they should have an annual check-up – and half are unaware that if they have insurance, there is no cost for the annual check-up.
“Annual check-ups are critical to our personal health. They provide us with an opportunity to check on our most important health numbers such as body mass index (“BMI”), cholesterol, and blood pressure, allowing us to gauge our overall well being,” according to Isaac Martinez, M.D., utilization management medical director at Cigna. “However, many Americans forget they need an annual check-up and many of those who know, don't go. That's why we want people to 'know, go, and take control' when it comes to their health. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) reports that Americans use preventive services at only about half the recommended rate, despite insurance covering 100 percent of these costs.”
The CDC preventive care data is reinforced by the results of Cigna's survey, which finds that a third of Americans – 33 percent – say they visit their health care professionals only when a specific health problem arises. Less than half do not realize that the annual check-up also includes vaccinations and immunizations as well as the opportunity to discuss healthy eating and exercise.
Cigna's survey found that Americans are not averse to tracking other numbers and making regular appointments for other activities in their daily lives, however. For example, 85 percent of people with pets say they know when it is time for their pet to visit the veterinarian's office for a shot.
Yet when it comes to their own health, according to the study, only 50 percent of Americans know their blood pressure level – a key barometer for assessing the likelihood of potential heart disease and stroke – and only 20 percent know their biometric numbers (such as BMI), even though keeping one's BMI, cholesterol, and blood pressure in check can also help a person save on significant out-of-pocket costs.
According to another recent Cigna study of 200,000 customers, many people do not know they have health risks that cost money. Sixty-six percent of adults are overweight or obese, but only 18 percent realize it and are trying to lose weight. Meanwhile, in addition to the health benefits of weight loss, this study found the difference of having a BMI of greater than versus less than 30 can be $2,460 in total health care costs annually.
“It is essential for all Americans to get their preventive care screenings, which can be discussed at their scheduled check-ups,” said Cindy Cooke, DNP, FNP-C, FAANP, president of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. “Asking your health care professional to give you your biometric numbers and knowing your numbers can help you stay healthier and potentially prevent certain health conditions from developing. This is one of those cases where what we don't know can hurt us. Without scheduled visits with your health care professional, it becomes possible for conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and obesity to go undetected and, therefore, untreated, for extended periods of time.”
Annual check-ups were once a part of many American's childhood routines and were viewed as critical yearly milestones, Dr. Martinez explained. “It's time to reassess our yearly habits and re-prioritize our health. If we all paid as much attention to our health as we do other important measures, we would experience a higher quality of life.”
Learn more: www.cigna.com.
Victoria Spears
Victoria Prussen Spears is senior vice president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and Brooklyn Law School, Ms. Spears was an attorney at a leading New York City law firm before joining Meyerowitz Communications. She may be contacted at [email protected].