At Oscar, we believe that preventive care is the foundation of a proactive health journey. It’s not just about treating illness. It’s about staying ahead of your health needs, gaining peace of mind, and ensuring long-term wellness.
Remember: Oscar is here to provide the tools, technology, and support, but your participation is the most powerful ingredient for better, long-term health outcomes. By staying engaged today, you’re investing in a healthier, more predictable tomorrow. Take these essential first steps today, and empower yourself to live your best life while also saving on high-cost care in the long run.
Step 1: Your annual wellness exam
The most important proactive step you can take is visiting your primary care doctor each year. Regular annual checkups help catch potential health problems early, before they become costly treatments or your condition or symptoms worsen. Research indicates that annual exams are associated with significantly better long-term health outcomes, with one study highlighting that people with more consistent primacy care had .
Your Oscar plan makes it simple to prioritize your health, offering $0 preventive care and benefits designed specifically for our members.¹ These include Oscar-covered exams, screenings, counseling, and vaccines that help you stay healthy. You can see the full range of Oscar health services considered preventive by logging into your Oscar account online (opens in new tab) or via the Oscar app (opens in new tab).
It is important to understand the difference between preventive care and diagnostic care (opens in new tab). Diagnostic care is used to investigate or treat specific symptoms or health conditions. While your annual wellness exam is preventive, if your doctor addresses specific medical concerns or performs tests beyond routine care during that visit, those services may be considered diagnostic and could be subject to costs depending on your specific plan.²
Stay ahead: Prioritize your mental health
Your mental health is a vital part of your overall health and wellbeing. For example, a 2024 study found that heart disease patients who received treatment for anxiety or depression had lower mortality rates and fewer hospital readmissions (opens in new tab) than those who did not receive mental health treatment, underscoring how deeply connected our mental and physical wellbeing truly are.
Managing your mental health effectively is a proactive journey. Don’t wait for a crisis to get support. Schedule a visit with a mental health provider to maintain your balance. Oscar offers virtual providers and a variety of benefits to ensure support is accessible whenever you need to check in on yourself.
For members on select plans, such as the Diabetes Care Plan, behavioral health visits are available at $0 cost.³ To verify if your plan includes $0 behavioral health visits, log in to your Oscar account (opens in new tab).
Proactive management: Targeted screenings
If you are living with a chronic condition such as diabetes or hypertension, staying proactive is one of the best ways to protect your long-term health.
For diabetes:
A1C Screening: This blood test measures your blood sugar levels, helping your provider suggest solutions to avoid complications.
Diabetic eye exam: Diabetes can affect your vision without clear warning signs; this test helps doctors catch issues early.
Kidney health evaluation: A simple urine test that is easily done along with other routine blood work.
Nutritional counseling: Oscar members with diabetes have access to $0 nutritional counseling.
For hypertension:
Being proactive with high blood pressure means testing at least twice a year. If completed during your annual wellness exam, this screening is $0. Talk to your doctor today to ensure your blood pressure is where it should be.
Research shows that when patients living with diabetes actively track their metrics and collaborate with their physicians, their health outcomes improve dramatically:
By staying on top of your numbers and working closely with your doctors, you can catch potential issues early and avoid the need for more costly treatments later on.
Support beyond the doctor’s office
Need a ride to your appointment or help with local food or utility assistance? Oscar’s Community Resources (opens in new tab) can help you find local support, transportation help, and more.⁴
Take charge: Why your proactive health engagement matters
Your health is a journey, and you are in the driver's seat. When you take the lead by asking questions, understanding your coverage, and making use of the resources available to you, you transform from a patient into a partner in your own care.
¹Members are eligible for $0 preventive care. Please refer to your complete Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) at hioscar.com/forms for more information.
²An annual wellness exam, and preventive services performed during an annual wellness exam, are provided at $0 cost to you. If, during your exam, a service that is considered diagnostic or non-preventive is provided to you, you may be responsible for the cost—or a share of the cost—for those additional services provided during your office visit depending on your plan.
³Unlimited $0 co-pays for PCP and behavioral health visits are not available on all plans. See your policy for further details.
⁴Findhelp is not an affiliate of Oscar. Findhelp connects you with local third-party resources and services that are free and/or low-cost. Please note these services are not covered by your Oscar plan. For information on your covered medical benefits, always refer to your Oscar plan details.
⁵Benefits and rewards can vary by Plan, and certain restrictions apply. Breathe Easy COPD Plan members must complete the flu vaccine and pneumonia vaccine in the same calendar year to earn the $25 reward. Please refer to your complete Evidence of Coverage (EOC) at hioscar.com/forms, hioscar.com/member/benefits/perks, and hioscar.com/asthma-copd, for more information.
⁶Benefits and rewards can vary by Plan, and certain restrictions apply. Chronic Care CKM Plan members must complete the flu vaccine and pneumonia vaccine in the same calendar year to earn the $25 reward. Please refer to your complete Evidence of Coverage (EOC) at hioscar.com/forms, hioscar.com/member/benefits/perks, and hioscar.com/chronic-care, for more information.
⁷$0-$4 prescriptions include up to a 30-day supply of medication. The cost of these prescriptions may vary by plan, metal, and state, and not all plans offer this pricing as part of their benefits. Please refer to your Summary of Benefits to confirm coverage.
⁸Benefits and rewards can vary by Plan, and certain restrictions apply. Please refer to your complete Evidence of Coverage (EOC) at hioscar.com/forms, and hioscar.com/member/benefits/perks, for more information.
