What “Covered at No Cost” Really Means — And How to Use It

“Covered at no cost” is one of those phrases everyone likes to hear — but not everyone fully understands. Does it really mean free? Are there limits? And what actually counts as preventive care?

The short answer: yes, many preventive services are covered at no cost when you use in-network providers. The longer answer is worth understanding, because knowing what’s included makes it much easier to actually use your benefits.

Preventive care typically includes things like annual wellness visits, routine screenings, vaccines, and certain lab work. These services are designed to catch potential health issues early — before symptoms appear or problems become more complicated. According to the CDC, preventive care plays a major role in reducing the risk of chronic illness and avoiding more intensive treatment later on [1].

What often trips people up is not knowing what qualifies. For example, your annual wellness visit focuses on prevention — reviewing your health history, checking vital signs, and identifying risks. That’s different from a visit to address a new illness or ongoing condition. Understanding that distinction helps avoid confusion and gives you confidence when booking appointments.

This is also where access to primary care matters. In addition to preventive services, many BHT members can use Nice for no-cost or low-cost care that goes beyond prevention — including help with everyday health concerns like colds, infections, minor injuries, medication questions, and follow-up care. Having an easy first stop for questions can prevent small issues from becoming bigger disruptions later.

Clarity matters just as much as coverage. Surveys show that people often delay care not because of cost, but because they’re unsure what’s included or worry about unexpected bills [2]. When benefits are easy to understand, people are more likely to schedule visits, ask questions early, and stay engaged with their health throughout the year.

A helpful approach is to think of preventive care as your baseline — the foundation you build on — and primary care as your ongoing support system. Together, they help you stay proactive instead of reactive.

If January is about starting strong, understanding what’s covered at no cost is one of the simplest ways to do it. When you know what’s available — and how to use it — your benefits work the way they’re meant to: supporting your health before problems arise.

Sources:

[1] Creyos. “Why Preventive Care Is Important.”
https://creyos.com/blog/why-preventive-care-is-important 

[2] National Library of Medicine. “Access Is Necessary but Not Sufficient: Factors Influencing Delay and Avoidance of Health Care Services.”
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6125037/ 

[3] Nice Healthcare. “Primary Care Services.”
https://www.nice.healthcare/services/primary-care