Helping employees take advantage of preventive care benefits

A healthy, supported workforce is essential for a thriving nonprofit. With busy schedules and competing priorities, employees often need clear guidance and timely reminders to use preventive health benefits already available to them. When organizations take an active role in encouraging routine screenings, education, annual checkups, and chronic disease management, they help employees stay well, reduce avoidable health risks, and support long-term workforce stability and mission

impact.

When treated as a shared responsibility, preventive care can really be effective. While most health plans cover screenings at no cost, employees may not always know what is included or when care is due. Consistent communication, leadership support, and simple prompts can help close this gap—ensuring preventive benefits are not only offered but actively used for the benefit of both employees and the organization.

Why preventive care matters

As nonprofits work to maximize their impact with limited resources, investing in employee well-being can deliver meaningful returns. Preventive care can help catch diseases or risk factors at early stages when they are most amenable to treatment and disease management. Research shows that Asthma, diabetes and hypertension account for more than 164 million lost workdays annually. 1 The same study suggests clinical prevention services can reduce disease, disability and death. For example, an

employer wellness program found that, counseling all smokers on a regular basis has

been shown to save roughly 70,000 lives in one year. 1

Preventive care supports both individual health and organizational performance in several important ways:

• Lower long-term health care costs. Early intervention and detection through preventive screenings can reduce the need for complex, costly treatment, thereby reducing avoidable high-cost claims and stabilizing medical spending over time.
• Improved productivity and retention. Employees who stay on top of preventive care experience fewer health-related disruptions, potentially reducing absenteeism. Feeling supported in their well-being also increases engagement, loyalty, and reduces turnover.
• Greater workforce effectiveness. Actively promoting preventive care ensures that all employees—regardless of age, background, or familiarity with the health care system—have access to early detection services.
• A stronger workplace culture. Encouraging preventive care signals that employees' health matters, building trust and reinforcing a culture of care.

Common barriers and simple solutions

Despite broader coverage, preventive services are often underused. Common barriers include confusion about coverage, fear of unexpected costs, difficulty finding in-network providers, limited time, assumptions of good health, or discomfort navigating the health care system. 

Small, consistent actions can overcome these challenges, such as:

• Reinforce that preventive care is free. Reminders via email, meetings, or internal channels help clarify that many screenings and annual physicals are available at no cost.
• Provide plain-language resources. Simple guides explain which screenings are covered, when to schedule them, and how to find providers.
• Use health plan tools. Checklists, reminders, and provider directories help maintain awareness and education.
• Model behavior. When leaders prioritize preventive visits, employees are more likely to follow suit.
• Normalize preventive care at work. Flexible scheduling, wellness days, or onsite screenings remove practical barriers for employees.

Supporting long-term workforce health

Preventive screenings are one of the most effective ways to protect employee health and organizational stability. Reducing high-cost claims can lower overall health care spending and help stabilize premiums over time.

Small, intentional steps can lead to healthier teams and stronger mission outcomes. Organizations seeking guidance to help employees use available coverage can reach out to a local agent or Florida Blue representative, such as Ana Castellanos at

Ana.Castellanos@bcbsfl.com.

Together, nonprofits and their employees can create a culture where preventive care is not only available but actively used.

1 Schoen, C, and How, S.K.H. (2005). National Scorecard on U.S. Health System Performance: Technical Report. New York, NY:

The Commonwealth Fund.

Disclaimers

Many Florida Blue plans cover annual wellness checkups, including covered vaccinations, lab work, and screenings, for a $0

copay. During your checkup, if you need medical tests or treatments, prescriptions, or a referral, you may have a cost share.

When scheduling your checkup with a new doctor for the first time, ask if you need a new patient visit before your checkup. If so,

you may have a cost share for the new patient visit. Health Benefit Plans have limitations and exclusions. Driven by its mission of

helping people and communities achieve better health, Florida Blue serves more than 6 million members across the state.

Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., Florida Blue, a trade name of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc., is an Independent

Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For additional information about Florida Blue, please visit

www.floridablue.com or call (877) 352-5830.