With nearly 95% of seniors having at least one chronic condition—and almost 80% managing two or more—there's a growing need for comprehensive preventive care.
It's clear that integrating these services into Medicare plans is more important than ever for addressing the unique health challenges older adults face. Including preventive care in your Medicare Advantage plans—like screenings, vaccinations, and senior wellness benefits—can improve long-term health outcomes and lower healthcare costs.
Read on to learn why health plans should focus on preventive care for seniors.
Related: Building Better Senior Fitness Benefits into Medicare Advantage Plans
The Role of preventive care for seniors
Preventive care services play a crucial role in maintaining seniors' health. They aim to stop chronic conditions from getting worse. This approach can lower the need for expensive treatments.
Adding a variety of preventive services can make your Medicare plan more appealing to seniors. This approach meets their health needs and helps with cost concerns.
Key preventive care services to prioritize include:
- Annual wellness visits help seniors create a personalized prevention plan. This plan relies on their health status. It helps them stay on track with important care.
- Health screenings: Regular screenings for chronic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancers, allow for early intervention, which are crucial for early detection and treatment.
- Vaccinations are important for seniors. Keeping them updated with vaccines like flu shots is essential. This helps prevent the spread of illnesses, which can cause serious complications.
- Fitness and wellness programs: Offering senior-friendly fitness programs can help improve mobility, balance, and overall well-being. Physical activity also aids in preventing or managing conditions like arthritis and hypertension.
Why Medicare health plans must prioritize preventive services
Medicare plans have a unique opportunity to emphasize preventive services, aligning with the growing focus on proactive healthcare. By doing so, plans not only improve the health of their members but also reduce long-term healthcare expenditures.
Preventive services save money because they lower the need for emergency treatments and hospital stays. These issues often come from unmanaged chronic conditions.
Investing in preventive care helps seniors stay healthier. This also reduces the strain on the healthcare system. It lowers costs for both the plan and its members. At the same time, it provides important health services that help seniors stay healthier for longer.
Evaluating preventive care services during open enrollment
The Medicare open enrollment period presents a prime opportunity for health plans to highlight their preventive care offerings. As beneficiaries compare their options, they are increasingly seeking plans that provide comprehensive, easily accessible preventive services. To remain competitive and ensure your plan meets the needs of seniors, consider the following:
- Preventive coverage: Does your plan provide a complete range of preventive care services? This includes health screenings, vaccinations, and yearly wellness visits. Ensure these services are easily accessible and incentivize their use.
- Fitness and wellness: Consider adding or enhancing fitness programs designed for seniors. Wellness coaching and mental health resources can also be vital components of preventive care.
- Costs and transparency: Ensure that preventive services have little to no out-of-pocket costs. This helps beneficiaries understand that these services are included in their health plan.
Related: The Link Between Physical Activity and Senior Mental Health
Emphasizing preventive services: A key to attracting seniors
Plans are increasingly incorporating additional preventive services to improve senior health and reduce overall care costs. The focus on these services matches the needs of seniors today. Health plans that prioritize preventive care can attract and keep more members. Beneficiaries want plans that provide not only treatment but also proactive care options that promote long-term wellness.
Prioritize preventive care for long-term success
By adding the right preventive care to your Medicare Advantage plan, you help improve the long-term health of your senior members. Preventive services, like screenings and wellness programs, help seniors stay healthier and more independent while lowering healthcare costs. For Medicare plans, focusing on prevention is not just good health policy—it’s good business.
FitOn Health offers fitness and wellness solutions designed for seniors, helping Medicare plans add effective preventive care services. Our programs focus on improving physical health, mobility, and mental well-being through personalized fitness and preventive health resources.
Ready to enhance your medicare plan with preventive care?
Discover how FitOn Health can help you create a Medicare Advantage plan focused on preventive care for seniors. Contact us today to learn about our fitness, wellness, and preventive care options. We can help support your members' long-term health goals.
