What are preventive medical examinations and why are they important for you?
This article was automatically translated from German using artificial intelligence and has not been editorially reviewed in this language. The German version is authoritative.
Preventive medical examinations are doctor's appointments. They help detect diseases early, even before they show symptoms and you feel ill. These examinations are important because many diseases show no or only mild symptoms in their early stages. If a disease is detected early, it can often be treated more effectively.
Who performs preventive medical examinations?
The examinations are carried out either in a general practitioner's office or in a specialist's office.
A general practitioner's office is your first point of contact for general health questions. Your GP treats a wide range of illnesses and performs preventive medical examinations. If necessary, they will refer you to a specialist's office.
Specialists have received specialized training in a specific area of medicine. They have particularly extensive knowledge about certain diseases and treatments. For example, a urologist specializes in the urinary organs and male reproductive organs, while a gastroenterologist focuses on the digestive system and organs such as the stomach, intestines, pancreas, and liver. A gynecologist specializes in women's health, and a dentist focuses on dental health. You can call the respective specialist's office directly to schedule an appointment for a check-up or preventive examination. You may be asked whether you have visited the specialist's office before and when you were born.
Which examinations are useful for you?
Your GP can tell you exactly which examinations are important for you. Which examinations are useful depends on your age, gender, and state of health.
Important examinations for everyone:
- Check vaccination status: You can have this done from birth onwards at your GP's office.
- Dental check-ups: These examinations take place from birth onwards at the dentist's office.
- Health check-up: Recommended once from the age of 18, but especially from the age of 35, this examination should be carried out every 3 years at your GP's office.
- Screening for hepatitis B and C: The examination can be carried out once from the age of 35 at your GP's office.
- Skin cancer screening: This examination takes place at the dermatologist's office and is recommended from the age of 35.
- Colorectal cancer screening: From the age of 50, this examination is recommended at a gastroenterology practice.
Important examinations for women at gynecologist's offices:
- Chlamydia screening: Recommended up to the age of 25.
- Cervical cancer screening and gynecological examinations: Regular examinations at the gynecologist's office should take place from the age of 20.
- Breast cancer screening: Regular examinations are recommended from the ages of 50 to 75.
- Examinations during pregnancy: These examinations are important to monitor the health of mother and child.
Important examinations for men:
- Prostate cancer screening: This examination is recommended from the age of 45, usually at a urologist's office.
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm ultrasound: This examination is recommended from the age of 65 and can be carried out at your GP's office, by an internist, or a urologist.
For more details on preventive examinations and a complete overview of when you should have which examinations, visit the website of the Federal Joint Committee: Overview of early detection examinations
Who pays for preventive examinations?
The preventive examinations mentioned above are covered by statutory health insurance. If your health insurance does not pay for an examination, your doctor will inform you about this. You can then decide for yourself whether you want to have the examination at the respective price. You are not obligated to accept these examinations. In this case, they are also referred to as individual health services (IGeL) or self-pay services. These services go beyond the standard offerings of statutory health insurance and usually have to be paid for out of pocket. An example of self-pay services are ultrasound examinations for cancer screening without medical necessity. Your doctor must inform you about the costs, benefits, and risks of these services before treatment. Some health insurance companies voluntarily cover the costs for certain IGeL or offer additional insurance that covers them. It is therefore advisable to ask your health insurance company in advance whether they will cover the costs.
How to reach your health insurance quickly and easily:
There are various ways to contact your health insurance. You can search for information on your health insurance's website or fill out a contact form. Some insurers also offer a chat service on their website where you can ask questions quickly. There is often also a telephone hotline where you can ask your questions directly. You can also visit a branch if your health insurance has an office nearby. The contact details for your health insurance are also listed on your health insurance card.