One of the most underused benefits of ACA health insurance is free preventive care. Under the ACA, all qualified health plans must cover a comprehensive list of preventive services with no cost-sharing — no copay, no deductible, even if you haven't met your deductible yet. For Florida residents on Bronze plans with $7,000+ deductibles, knowing which services are free can save hundreds annually and help you catch serious conditions early. Here's the complete 2026 list.
ACA Section 2713 requires all non-grandfathered group and individual health plans to cover preventive services recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) with an A or B grade, HRSA-recommended women's preventive services, and ACIP-recommended vaccines — all with zero cost-sharing. This applies to all Florida ACA marketplace plans. Note: a 2023 federal court case (Braidwood) challenged some of these mandates for services added after 2010; carriers may handle these inconsistently. Verify with your specific plan.
Screenings: Blood pressure (all adults), cholesterol (adults 35+, younger if at risk), diabetes (adults 35–70 with overweight/obesity), depression, anxiety, HIV, colorectal cancer (ages 45–75), lung cancer (heavy smokers 50–80), abdominal aortic aneurysm (men 65–75 who smoked).
Vaccines: Flu, Tdap, COVID-19, HPV (through age 26), shingles (50+), pneumonia (65+), hepatitis A and B.
Counseling: Tobacco cessation (multiple sessions free), obesity/weight loss (intensive behavioral interventions), alcohol misuse, fall prevention counseling (65+).
Medications: Aspirin to prevent cardiovascular disease (low-dose, selected adults 40–59), PrEP for HIV prevention, statins for cardiovascular prevention in qualifying adults.
All Florida ACA plans must cover additional zero-cost preventive services for women, including: mammography (annually 40+), cervical cancer screening (Pap smear + HPV co-test every 5 years 30–65), BRCA risk assessment, prenatal care, gestational diabetes screening, well-woman visits, all FDA-approved contraceptive methods (including IUDs, implants, and oral contraceptives), breastfeeding support and breast pump equipment, domestic violence screening and counseling.
Children's preventive care includes: well-child visits at recommended intervals (newborn through adolescence), developmental screenings, autism spectrum disorder screening, vision and hearing screening, lead screening, immunizations per the ACIP schedule, obesity counseling, and fluoride supplements for children without fluoridated water. All of these are covered at zero cost on Florida ACA plans — a significant financial benefit for families.
A common Florida consumer complaint: going to an annual physical that was supposed to be free and receiving a bill. This happens when the provider bills the visit as 'diagnostic' rather than 'preventive.' If you raise a new symptom or concern at a preventive visit, the provider may code part of the visit as a separate diagnostic service — subject to your deductible. Ask your provider before the visit: 'Will this be billed entirely as a preventive visit?' If you want to discuss a specific concern, consider scheduling a separate follow-up appointment.
Yes — well-person annual visits are covered as preventive care with zero cost-sharing on all ACA marketplace plans. However, if the visit includes treatment of a specific condition or diagnosis, that portion may be billed separately at your plan's normal cost-sharing rates.
Yes — colorectal cancer screening, including colonoscopy, is covered at zero cost for adults 45–75 as a preventive service. If a polyp is found and removed during the same procedure, some plans bill the polyp removal at cost-sharing rates. Ask your plan before the procedure.
The free preventive care requirement applies to in-network providers on HMO and EPO plans. On PPO plans, preventive care may have cost-sharing if you use an out-of-network provider. Always use an in-network provider for preventive services.
Depression and anxiety screenings are covered at no cost as preventive services. However, ongoing mental health treatment (therapy sessions, psychiatric medication management) is not a preventive service and is subject to your plan's regular cost-sharing.
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