Adult Preventative Health

18 - 64 Years

What is Preventative Health?

Preventative health is a broad category of health care that you receive in order to maintain your health. It is key to diagnosing medical conditions before they become a problem. It includes annual checkups with your primary care provider, cancer screenings, diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure screenings, as well as, vaccinations, informational counselling on lifestyle choices, and care tailored to your family health history.

Most insurance plans cover all costs of preventative health care without co-pays, and all costs for this care is covered by Medicaid.

Wellness Visit

A wellness visit is an annual checkup or sometimes called physical. During the appointment the provider will do a head-to-toe physical exam to assess your overall health and is able to identify potential health risks. A wellness exam is a good time to catch up on current and ongoing health concerns. Addressing problems early can help prevent illness, disease, and costly medical bills later on. During a wellness visit, the provider will:

Review medical history and medications
Collect vital signs (height, weight, blood pressure)
Treat acute illness
Develop a treatment plan for chronic issues and symptom management
Place referrals to specialists

Get the most out of your visit

Additionally, the following may be included or recommended to you by the medical provider if appropriate:

Lab tests can help screen for certain conditions like cholesterol or look at organ function. Together with a physical exam lab work can help your medical provider identify illness or disease.
Our primary care providers use questionnaires as part of routine screening to help identify and treat mood disorders like depression. During your visit you will be handed the following questionnaires:
SBIRT
Screening Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment provides a quick assessment that screens for substance use disorders and the risk of developing these disorders.
PREPARE
A standardized social risk assessment tool for social and emotional well-being. Both can deeply impact a person's health and health outcomes. This tool is used to identify persons affected and connect them with local resources.
Depression and anxiety "mood"
Taking care of mental health is just as important as caring for physical health. Untreated depressive symptoms can present themselves in the form of headaches, chronic pain, and decreased quality of life.
Your medical provider may suggest you visit with a behavioral health consultant (BHC). Our team of BHCs are certified and trained professionals that can help address a wide range of health concerns including anxiety, stress, diabetes management, and much more. To learn more about our behavioral health services click here.
Immunizations help protect us and those we love from getting sick. Help reduce the spread of infectious disease and illness by vaccinating.
For a full list of adult immunizations and time schedule ask your medical provider for more information or schedule a visit.
Seasonal and age specific vaccines:
Flu: To fight the flu virus the seasonal flu vaccine is recommended yearly.
Covid: We have covid vaccines and boosters available. For more information visit the covid vaccine page here.
TDAP: At least one dose of the TDAP vaccine is recommended for adults 19 years and older. The TDAP vaccine provides immunization against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.
Shingles: Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus commonly known as chickenpox. Once exposed to chickenpox the shingles virus typically stays dormant in the body until it becomes active causing a painful rash. Persons 50 years and older are recommended two doses of the shingles vaccine.
HPV: The HPV virus is the human papillomavirus, a pathogen transmitted through intimate person-to-person contact. HPV causes nearly all types of cervical cancers, and some cancers in the lining of body cavities. Current screening guidelines recommend vaccination for persons 13 to 26 years. Persons 27 years and older may benefit from catch-up vaccination.
Schedule your next vaccine appointment using the self-scheduling desk here.

SCHEDULE A VISIT

Illustration of doctor checking patient's blood pressure.

Gender refers to characteristics that describe women and men in social or cultural roles. However, they don't necessary align with a person's individual experience of gender identity, which can be different than their physical or assigned sex at birth. The following terms "women" and "men" are used to describe gender roles in healthcare.

Women’s Health

In addition, women should also follow up with cervical and mammogram cancer screenings. We have multiple providers that practice in obstetrics (pregnancy) and gynecology (female reproductive system).

A pap smear is a diagnostic screening test that detects changes in the cells of the cervix that can lead to cancer.
Current screening guidelines recommend screening starting at 21 years. Subsequent screening is recommended every three to five years depending on the person’s previous exam results or risk factors.
Mammography or mammogram is a type of x-ray used to help in the detection of breast cancer or other breast abnormalities. During the procedure, images of the breasts are taken. The images can be on film or produced digitally, these images are called mammograms.
Current screening guidelines recommend women begin mammography screening at age 40. However, screening depends on personal or family history of breast cancer or other risks of developing breast cancer. For more information contact your medical provider or schedule an appointment.
Contraceptive (birth control) counseling including different types, family planning, reproductive health, and sexually transmitted disease screenings are available.
We have IUDs, Nexplanon, emergency contraception (morning after pill), and condoms among other methods available for established patients. Providers can also place referrals for permanent contraception known as sterilization or tubal ligation a procedure performed at the hospital.

Men’s Health

Focusing on needs and concerns that affect men and men’s health.

A vasectomy is a form of permanent male contraception. Typically, the patient is under local anesthesia and the procedure is usually completed in one hour. The medial provider cuts and seals the tubes called vas that carry sperm. Before the procedure a consultation with the performing provider is necessary to review the procedure.
Condoms are also available upon request.
Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among males. The prostate is part of the male reproductive system.
Current screening guidelines recommend men ages 55 to 69 who meet certain criteria or have symptoms screen using a blood test called prostate-specific antigen (PSA).

Illustration of medical provider holding clipboard, a medical cross and checkmark in the background.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

The colon is the large intestine and is part of the digestive tract. Colon cancer, sometimes referred to as colorectal cancer is cancer in the large intestine or rectum. Colon cancer is the third leading cause of deaths by cancer in men and women. There are multiple ways to screen for colon cancer including a colonoscopy and a FIT card.

Current screening guidelines recommend adults ages 45 to 75 years screen for colorectal cancer.
FIT stands for fecal immunochemical test. A FIT card is a non-invasive screening test that can detect microscopic blood traces not visible by the eyes in the stool (feces). Blood in the stool can be an early sign of cancer. The FIT screening is recommended yearly.
A colonoscopy is a procedural exam typically performed under anesthesia. During the procedure, the surgeon looks at the large intestine (colon) and rectum with a flexible tube called a colonoscope. A small camera attached to the tip of the colonoscope takes video. The surgeon is able to identify abnormal issues or cancer-causing polyps that can be biopsied.
This is an outpatient procedure performed at the hospital. Our medical providers can refer you if necessary.

Dental Care

While not included in a wellness exam, routine oral care is just as important as physical health. Good oral hygiene can reduce the risk of tooth loss, cavities, and gum disease that increases with aging. At OCH, we have a dental team ready to care for your dental needs.

For a full list of our dental services click here.

An oral exam is an initial appointment where the dentist reviews your medical and dental history, examines the health and condition of your mouth, and teeth. The dental assistant takes X-rays of your teeth.
During a dental cleaning the dental provider will remove tartar, plaque, and sometimes apply a protective fluoride coating. A dental standard for adults recommends a dental cleaning every six months.

Need help paying for care?

We understand paying for services can be challenging. That’s why OCH has created a sliding scale discount that can help reduce the cost of your visit. All patients are welcome to apply even if you have insurance. The application is based on household size and income. We also have a team dedicated to help with insurance enrollment. Our Medicaid enrollment specialists can help with your application and answer questions you may have. To learn more about our financial assistance options visit the financial assistance page here.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Arrive 15 early to your appointment and check in at the front desk.
You can also use the eCheck-In feature available through MyChart prior to your appointment. With MyChart you can assess your medical records, request appointments, request medication refills, or pay your bill.
Don’t have MyChart? Sign up here.
Medication frequency and doses change often. To ensure that you are taking the most accurate dose as prescribed bring in your medications for your provider to review with you.
You may be asked to update your contact information, sign clinic policies, or fill out screening questionnaires. You can do these prior to your appointment at check in with front desk staff, or finish paperwork ahead of your visit through your MyChart account.
It is recommended to establish care with a primary care provider (PCP) and see them every 1 to 2 years depending on your overall health, age, medications you take, or provider’s recommendations.
All of our preventative health exam visits are scheduled for 40-minutes. This allows the provider enough time to thoroughly assess your concerns and create a unique treatment plan based on your needs.
We accept most insurance types and Medicaid. If you’re uninsured or unable to pay for your visit you may qualify for our sliding scale discount. We encourage all patients to apply even if they have insurance. For more information visit our financial assistance page here.
The after-visit summary (AVS) sheet summarizes the visit you had. Clinical staff will print this out for you at the end of your visit. You can also access this information through MyChart.
MyChart is an online application you can access through your mobile phone, computer, or any smart device. After creating an account, you will have access to your medical information. It is a convenient and easy way to get in touch with your medical provider, request medication refills, or pay your bill. To learn more click here.