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Honoring Women’s History Month & International Women’s Day: Prioritizing Women’s Health at Every Age

By Kayla Miller • 03/09/2026

Every March, we celebrate Women’s History Month, recognizing the achievements, resilience, and contributions of women throughout history. On International Women's Day, we also spotlight progress — and the work still ahead — in areas that matter deeply, including access to quality healthcare.

 

One of the most important ways we can honor women today is by empowering them with knowledge about their health coverage and preventive care benefits.

Preventive care saves lives. And thanks to modern health policy reforms and Medicare protections, many essential services are covered at little to no cost.

Why Women’s Preventive Care Matters

Women often balance careers, caregiving, and family responsibilities—sometimes at the expense of their own health. Preventive care helps detect issues early, reduce long-term health risks, and support overall wellness at every life stage.

 

Conditions that uniquely or disproportionately affect women include:

  • Breast cancer

  • Cervical cancer

  • Osteoporosis

  • Endometriosis

  • Heart disease (the leading cause of death among women)

  • Maternal health complications

  • Autoimmune disorders

Regular screenings and wellness visits are critical for early detection and better outcomes.

Preventive Care Covered Under ACA Health Plans

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), most marketplace and employer health plans are required to cover recommended preventive services at no cost-sharing when provided by in-network providers.

For women, this includes:

✔ Well-Woman Visits

Annual preventive exams to review overall health, screenings, and counseling.

✔ Breast Cancer Screening 

Mammograms for eligible age groups.

✔ Cervical Cancer Screening

Pap tests and HPV testing as recommended by age guidelines.

✔ Contraceptive Coverage

FDA-approved contraceptive methods and counseling.

✔ Pregnancy & Maternity Care

Prenatal visits, gestational diabetes screening, and breastfeeding support.

✔ Osteoporosis Screening

Bone density testing for women at higher risk.

✔ STI & HIV Screening

Preventive testing and counseling.

These benefits were designed to remove cost barriers and ensure women can access routine care without worrying about deductibles or copays.

Preventive Services Covered by Medicare

For women 65+ or those eligible due to disability, Medicare also provides robust preventive benefits.

Under Medicare Part B, covered services include:

✔ Annual Wellness Visit

A yearly preventive planning visit to review health risks and create a personalized prevention plan.

✔ Mammograms

Screening mammograms every 12 months for women 40 and older.

✔ Cervical & Vaginal Cancer Screening s

Pap tests and pelvic exams; covered at specified intervals.

✔ Bone Mass Measurements

Covered every 24 months for qualifying individuals.

✔ Cardiovascular Screening s

Cholesterol and heart disease testing.

✔ Diabetes Screenings

For those at risk.

✔ Depression Screening

Covered once per year in a primary care setting.

When eligibility criteria are met, many of these services are covered with no out-of-pocket cost.

The Financial Side of Health Protection

While preventive care is often covered, unexpected diagnoses can still create financial strain. Women are statistically more likely to:

  • Take time off work for caregiving

  • Experience income disruption during illness

  • Live longer and require extended healthcare services

That’s why reviewing your health coverage annually is so important.

Supplemental coverage — including hospital indemnity or cancer-specific plans — can provide added financial protection beyond traditional health insurance or Medicare.

Empowerment Through Education

Women’s History Month reminds us how far healthcare access has come — and how powerful informed decisions can be.

On this International Women’s Day, consider:

  • Scheduling your preventive screenings

  • Reviewing your health insurance benefits

  • Asking questions about what your plan covers

  • Exploring supplemental protection options

Knowledge is protection. Prevention is power.

Let’s Review Your Coverage

If you’d like help understanding:

  • What preventive services your plan covers

  • When you’re eligible for screenings

  • Whether supplemental coverage makes sense for you

Reach out today for a no-obligation review. Making informed choices now can protect both your health and your financial future.

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