It could be said that the best way to treat a condition is to prevent it from happening at all. That is why preventative care services can play such an important role in a person's health and in keeping costs down for health insurance companies and employers.

A survey by the Midwest Business Group on Health looked into the relationship between employers and preventative care services. Virtually all employers surveyed said that they played a role in their staff getting preventative care services. Also, the survey shows that employers are mainly motivated to offer such services because they can help keep employees healthy and more productive.

"Employers are increasingly investing resources in preventive care and wellness programs to reduce health care costs and improve the health and productivity of their employees," said MBGH president and CEO Larry Boress.

Getting screened for certain conditions like diabetes, for example, can greatly reduce health care costs down the road. If a patient knows they are at risk for developing the disease, they can alter their lifestyle to reduce their chances.