Experts offer the following tips for avoiding surprise medical bills for preventive care:

— Call your insurance plan — the 800-number on the back of your insurance card — to find out whether the plan must comply with the Affordable Care Act. If your plan is “grandfathered,” it’s exempt from the law’s requirement to pay for preventive care.

— When scheduling an appointment or talking with your doctor, clarify that you’re coming in for a covered preventive service and you don’t expect to be charged. The doctor must be in your health plan’s network.

— If you’re hit with an unexpected bill, call the doctor’s office and ask how the bill was submitted. Was it submitted as a preventive care service?

— Complain to your state’s insurance department if you believe you’ve been billed in error.

The following is a partial list of services that should be covered without copays or other cost-sharing by the patient:

— Alcohol misuse screening and counseling

— Aspirin use for men and women of certain ages

— Blood pressure screening for all adults

— Cholesterol screening for adults of certain ages or at higher risk

— Depression screening for adults