1. Knowing your insurance coverage.

It sounds too simple, but most of us don't know anything about our coverages (because I want to believe you are enrolled in an insurance plan; if you are not, please, go www.healthcare.gov). You should have received some mailing about your new plan or the changes in your plan. Read them. You need to know about the copays, the kind of coverage, doctors and facilities in the network, maximum out of pocket and deductibles.

After reading and researching on the internet, if you have any questions, you should call your plan and ask.

2. Know about preventive exams.

It is important to know that they are some medical exams which are free because they are preventive. Some of the most important are: blood pressure screening, cholesterol screening, diet counseling, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV screening, immunization vaccines, and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention counseling. To know what of these preventive services you need, you must go to see your doctor first.

You can check all the information on www.healthcare.gov.

3. Female preventative exams.

As women, we need to check our body more intensely than men. For this reason, there are some preventive exams we must have by the year, and they are free: anemia screening, contraception, Gonorrhea and Syphilis screening, mammogram and urinary tract. Also, we should have the Pap test every three years.

The best you can do is to visit your gynecologist at least once per year. Your specialist can advise you about what test you should take and talk about birth control methods.

4. Annual Wellness exam.

An annual wellness exam is an essential way to check our body. It is a general examination for the sole purpose of preventative care you have with your primary care physician. An annual exam does not include discussion of new problems or detailed review of chronic conditions. If you have insurance, you probably can have this exam with no copay; if you don't have insurance coverage, the cost of this exam is between $50-$200.

Also, the doctor can give you the prescription for some lab work. Remember the blood test can help to identify any possible problem.

5. STD checking.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are a reality. The statistics are sad; every day more and more people are infected. This article is not a sex education class, but the truth is we do not make intelligent decisions when we are in love or excited. Always, it is good to check if we are free of STDs. The good news is most of them can be checked by a lab test.

6. Dentist exams.

Don't forget going to the dentist. We should go at least two times per year. We need to have our oral exam and cleaning. If you don't want to be the kind people who need dentures, you must go and see your dentist. It is tedious and sometimes painful, but it worth it.