Men's Health
At Premera, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive and tailored healthcare services to all men.
Men’s health is about more than checkups
It’s about supporting your whole person. From heart health and mental wellness to preventive screenings and everyday habits, prioritizing your overall well-being helps you catch issues early, improve your quality of life, and build long-term resilience. By encouraging awareness, regular care, and open conversations, we’re here to help you stay healthier, stronger, and more engaged at every stage of your life.
With men’s health, we encourage a maintenance mindset. Just like a car, your body needs routine care to help prevent “engine problems” down the road.
Let’s start with routine maintenance
On average, American men have a life expectancy nearly 6 years shorter than women and face higher risks of heart disease, cancer, and suicide.
But the good news is that small, everyday habits can make a meaningful difference in your overall well-being, including:
- Eating a healthy diet with at least 30 grams of daily fiber and less processed foods and sugary drinks
- Exercising regularly with at least 2 hours of aerobic activity every week per the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
- Getting 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NIH) links poor sleep to lower testosterone and chronic health issues like diabetes.
- Abstaining from smoking and vaping to support better lung and heart health.
- Limiting or avoiding alcohol use to help reduce the risk of certain cancers per the CDC.
The importance of a primary care provider
Seeing a primary care provider (PCP) regularly can help you stay on top of your preventive needs, reach your health goals, and save money on an in-network provider or facility.
Schedule a check-up with your PCP for important health screenings and advice. Regular visits can offer a baseline for blood pressure and cholesterol and help you catch issues early.
Find a PCP today
- Use the Find a Doctor tool on premera.com or in the Premera mobile app.
- Members in Washington state can check out Kinwell Advanced Primary Care.
- Get virtual care from a PCP or from one of our virtual care providers, all in the comfort of your home.
Preventive care
Even if you feel fine, regular checkups—at least every 2 years—are important to maintaining good health. Be proactive and catch potential health issues early. In-network preventive care services are 100% covered at no additional cost through your Premera plan. If your provider orders tests based on signs or symptoms, your visit may be billed as diagnostic rather than preventive care, and you may be charged for additional services.
Depending on your family history, age, and other risk factors, you might be screened for cholesterol, blood-sugar levels, and sexually transmitted diseases.
Get regular inspections: Screening recommendations for men
Screening tests can help you find health issues before you have symptoms. Your provider will consider risk factors and your family history when recommending specific tests for you.
Preventive screenings are covered 100% when done by in-network providers.
General guidelines for common screening tests
Colon cancer screenings
Colonoscopy screenings are often recommended as a preventive care procedure for many adults starting at age 45.
Prostate cancer screenings
For men ages 55 to 69 years old, undergoing a periodic prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for cancer should be an individual choice. Before you decide, it’s best to discuss the potential benefits and harms of screening with your provider.
Members should consider getting screened based on their family history, race/ethnicity, comorbid medical conditions, and any other health needs.
Check in on your mental health
Reaching out for mental health support isn’t always easy. If you have concerns about your mental health and aren’t sure where to start, a good first step is talking with your PCP. They can check for medical conditions that may cause symptoms similar to mental health issues.
A few tips for maintaining positive well-being:
- Manage stress: Practice mindfulness or deep breathing. Harvard Health notes that chronic stress is a major trigger for male cardiovascular events.
- Get connected with people: Maintain a "social fitness" routine by meeting friends or family regularly to combat loneliness, a significant factor in male depression.
- Get some sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night.
There are many options available for mental health support, like virtual care visits in your own home.
Frequently asked questions
There is no single test for all sexually transmitted diseases, so talk to your primary care physician about the tests you need. Preventive STD tests, meaning tests done without signs or symptoms of infection, are covered at 100 percent on most health plans. If you are tested because you are exhibiting symptoms, your tests could be billed as diagnostic, which is subject to your plan's copay and deductible.
Most of our plans don’t cover infertility treatments. Check your benefit booklet to see if yours does.
If having children isn’t something you’re considering, most of our health plans do cover vasectomies. See your benefit booklet for cost shares specific to you. Another option is to ask a female partner to look into contraception on her health plan.
Our plans typically don't cover erectile dysfunction. If you take medication, go to Manage Prescriptions to see if the drug is covered on your plan.
Certain HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) medication is covered at no cost when used as a preventive measure for those identified as high risk for HIV infection. For additional details, including the effective date of coverage for PrEP at no cost under your health plan, please call customer service.
Primary care: For the whole you
To ensure lifelong and comprehensive care, have a primary care doctor or provider in your corner as your healthcare go-to guide. Primary care providers are point people to coordinate all your care. Learn key reasons to have a primary doctor.
*https://www.bcbs.com/about-us/blue-cross-blue-shield-system
Benefits under your health plan may differ, so refer to your benefit booklet for information on what your specific health plan covers.
Your health plan covers preventive care services as required by state and federal law. For more information, please review the "A" and "B" rated services on the United States Preventive Services Task Force, immunizations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and preventive care and screening recommended by the Health Resources and Services Administration. See the list on healthcare.gov.