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As the year draws to a close, now is a great time to focus on your health by taking advantage of your health insurance benefits before they reset in the new year. Regular screenings are an essential part of maintaining good health and utilizing your year-end benefits can help ensure that you’re staying on top of your preventive care needs. Regular screenings are important at every stage of life, and are often recommended based on age group.

For young adults between the ages of 18 and 39, regular health screenings may not seem as urgent, but they’re important for setting a foundation for lifelong health. Even if you’re feeling healthy and symptom-free, screenings for conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol and skin cancer can catch problems early. Early detection of these issues can establish a health baseline and provide an opportunity for intervention if necessary. It’s also an ideal time to make sure you’re up-to-date on vaccinations, including the flu shot.

Middle aged adults between the ages of 40 and 64 may be at greater risk for certain health conditions. This is when many people begin to experience health challenges, so taking preventive measures through screenings can help detect issues early when they’re most treatable. Common cancers including breast, cervical and colorectal increase in prevalence as we age. As a result, mammograms, pap smears and colonoscopies are recommended beginning at age 45 and can help catch abnormalities in early stages when more and less invasive treatment options are available. Lastly, routine blood sugar screenings are crucial for detecting diabetes or prediabetes, helping manage the condition before it becomes more serious.

For those 65 and older, regular screenings are essential to manage chronic conditions and maintain a good quality of life. Conditions such as osteoporosis, heart disease and cognitive decline can be better managed when detected early and screenings are key to ensuring you receive timely care. Bone density tests can help prevent fractures caused by osteoporosis, while cognitive health screenings can identify early signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Vision and hearing tests are also important in your senior years, as changes in these senses can affect your overall quality of life.

If you haven’t already scheduled important screenings or preventive care appointments, now is the time to do so. Many plans offer screenings, vaccinations and preventive care at no extra cost, so it’s important to maximize your benefits before they expire. Scheduling those services now ensures that you don’t leave any valuable benefits unused and helps you stay proactive about your health.

Incorporating regular screenings into your health routine is not only good for your health but it’s also a smart way to ensure you’re using your health benefits to the fullest. Prevention is always better than treatment, and by focusing on your health now, you’re setting yourself up for a healthier future.

Leah Thomas is a family nurse practitioner at Vanderbilt Integrated Internal Medicine – Cedar Lane in Tullahoma.