WASHINGTON, March 18 (UPI) -- About 71 million Americans with private health insurance received at least one free preventive service, such as a mammogram or flu shot, a U.S. official said.
Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, announced Monday millions of Americans received private health insurance coverage for at least one free preventive healthcare service in 2011 and 2012 because of the Affordable Care Act putting money back in their pocket.
Additionally, an estimated 34 million Americans in traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage received at least one preventive service, such as an annual wellness visit at no out-of-pocket cost because of the healthcare law, Sebelius said.
"Preventing illnesses before they become serious and more costly to treat helps Americans of all ages stay healthier," Sebelius said in a statement. "No longer do Americans have to choose between paying for preventive care and groceries."
Preventive services, consumer protections and other reforms under the Affordable Care Act are giving millions of Americans of all ages more value for their healthcare dollars and contributing to the slowest growth in healthcare costs in 50 years, Sebelius said.