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Routine care, sometimes referred to as "preventive care,” means the regular checkups, screenings and preventive treatments that help keep you healthy year-round. This includes your annual physical at your doctor’s office, screenings like blood pressure and cancer checks, as well as vision and hearing exams. It also includes vaccinations to protect you from illness, and any specialist visits your doctor recommends, such as dermatology, cardiology or physical therapy. Your doctor can help you create a personalized routine care plan based on your age, health history and lifestyle.

You can care for yourself and your loved ones by making routine care a priority. Keep up with checkups, screenings and vaccines. Eat well, stay active, get enough sleep and find healthy ways to manage stress. Learn about the best places to get care before you need it and keep important phone numbers, like your doctor’s office and an advice nurse, somewhere easy to find.

It also helps to build a good relationship with your healthcare team and your health insurance company. They can work with you to create a personalized routine care plan that fits your needs and helps you stay healthy.

Healthcare isn’t just for treating illness, it’s also for keeping you healthy in the first place. A healthcare routine helps you avoid the stress, pain and cost of needing more serious care in the future. Prevention and diagnosing health issues early on is an essential way to make the most of your long-term health and happiness.

Part of staying healthy is being prepared for the unexpected. Knowing your emergency care options before you need them allows you to act quickly if a serious health issue arises and feel confident that you’re getting the right care. Save time and confusion now by exploring the educational resources on this website now.

Yes. Your mental health is an important part of your overall health. Routine care includes paying attention to your mood, stress level and overall emotional well-being. Talk with your doctor’s office if you are feeling sad, anxious or overwhelmed, or if these feelings are affecting your daily life. They can connect you with mental health services for counseling or support groups. Getting help early can make a big difference in feeling better.

Yes. Regular dental checkups and eye exams are important parts of staying healthy. Dentists can find and treat problems with your teeth and gums early, and eye doctors can check your vision and look for signs of eye disease. Keeping up with these visits helps prevent bigger health problems later on.

Dental and vision care are often covered separately from your regular health insurance, so check your plan to see what is included.

Call your doctor’s office to schedule a checkup appointment. Be sure to have your health insurance or coverage card on hand, as you may be asked for some health insurance information. If you don’t have a regular doctor, contact your health insurance company to find one.

If you do not have health insurance, you can enroll for health insurance tailored to your income through Covered California. Visit https://www.coveredca.com/ to start the enrollment process.

For affordable routine healthcare, you can also visit a community health center like La Clínica, Axis Community Health, Brighter Beginnings, LifeLong Medical Care or Asian Health Services. For local resources that support your total health, you can explore Kaiser Permanente’s Community Resource Directory.

If you need help getting to your doctor’s office, urgent care clinic or other healthcare visits, there are several options based on your healthcare provider. It’s best to arrange transportation ahead of time so you don’t miss your appointment.

Contra Costa Health Plan provides transportation benefits for care, which you can arrange by calling 1-855-222-1218 (TTY 711) or visiting https://www.cchealth.org/health-insurance/for-cchp-members/transportation. Kaiser Permanente may offer scheduled transportation services for members who qualify.