What are preventive medical examinations and why are they important for you?
Preventive medical examinations are doctor's appointments. They help detect illnesses early, even before they show symptoms and you feel sick. These examinations are important because many illnesses show no or only mild symptoms in their early stages. If an illness is detected early, it can often be treated more effectively.
Who performs the preventive medical examinations?
The examinations are carried out either in a general practitioner's practice or in a specialist practice.
A general practitioner's practice is your first point of contact for general health concerns. Your general practitioner treats a wide range of illnesses and performs preventive medical examinations. If necessary, they will refer you to a specialist practice.
Specialists have undergone advanced training in a specific area of medicine. They have particularly extensive knowledge of certain illnesses 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 relevant specialist practice directly to schedule an appointment for a check-up or preventive examination. You may be asked whether you have visited the specialist practice before and when you were born.
Which examinations are recommended for you?
Your general practitioner can tell you exactly which examinations are important for you. Which examinations are recommended depends on your age, gender, and state of health.
Important examinations for everyone:
- Check vaccination status: You can have this done in your general practitioner's practice from birth.
- Dental check-up: These examinations take place in the dental practice starting from birth.
- Health check-up: Recommended once at age 18, but especially from age 35, this examination is advised every 3 years in the general practitioner's practice.
- Hepatitis B and C screening: This examination can be performed once from the age of 35 in the general practitioner's practice.
- Skin cancer screening: This examination takes place in the dermatologist's practice and is recommended from the age of 35.
- Colorectal cancer screening: From the age of 50, this examination is recommended in a gastroenterology practice.
Important examinations for women at gynecology practices:
- Chlamydia screening: Recommended up to the age of 25.
- Cervical cancer screening and gynecological examinations: Regular examinations at the gynecology practice are recommended from the age of 20.
- Breast cancer screening: Regular examinations are recommended from the age 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 in a urology practice.
- Ultrasound examination for abdominal aortic aneurysm: This examination is recommended from the age of 65 and can be performed in the general practitioner's practice, 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: Früherkennungsuntersuchungen im Überblick
Who pays for the preventive examinations?
The preventive examinations listed above are covered by statutory health insurance. If your health insurance does not cover the examination, your doctor will inform you. You can then decide for yourself whether you want to have the examination performed at the respective cost. You are not obligated to accept these examinations. In such cases, they are 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. Therefore, it is advisable to ask your health insurance company in advance whether they will cover the costs.
How to reach your health insurance company quickly and easily:
You can use various methods to contact your health insurance company. You can search for information on your insurance company'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 hotline where you can ask your questions directly. You can also visit a branch if your health insurance company has an office nearby. The contact details of your health insurance company are also listed on your health insurance card.