Getting preventive care is one of the most important steps you can take to manage your health. That's because when a condition is diagnosed early, it is usually easier to treat. And regular checkups can help you and your doctor identify lifestyle changes you can make to avoid certain conditions.
Please see the screening guidelines below to see if you're up-to-date.1
| Routine Checkups | 18-29 years | 30-39 years | 40-49 years | 50-64 years | 65+ years |
| Includes personal history; blood pressure; body mass index (BMI); physical exam; preventive screening; and counseling | Annually for ages 18-21 |
Annually | Annually | ||
| Every 1-3 years, depending on risk factors2 | |||||
| Cancer Screenings | |||||
| Colorectal Cancer | Not routine except for patients at high risk2 |
Colonoscopy at age 50 and then every 10 years, or annual fecal occult blood test (FOBT) plus sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or double-contrast barium enema every 5 years |
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| Skin Cancer | Periodic total skin exams every 3 years at discretion of clinician | Annual total skin exam at discretion of clinician | |||
| Breast Cancer (Women) | Annual clinical breast exam and monthly self-exam | ||||
| Annual mammography at discretion of clinician |
Annual mammography |
Annual mammography at discretion of clinician |
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| Cervical Cancer (Women) | Initiate Pap test at 3 years after first sexual intercourse, or by age 21 every 1-3 years,3 depending on risk factors2 | ||||
| Testicular and Prostate Cancer (Men) | Clinical testicular exam at each health maintenance visit and monthly self-exam |
Annual Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) or prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test at discretion of clinician |
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| Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) or prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test if at high risk2 |
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| Other Recommended Screenings | |||||
| Body Mass Index (BMI) | At discretion of clinician (can be screened annually for overweight and eating disorders, consult the CDC's growth and BMI charts) | ||||
| Blood Pressure (Hypertension) | At every acute/nonacute medical encounter and at least once every 2 years | ||||
| Cholesterol | Every 5 years or more often at discretion of clinician | ||||
| Diabetes (Type 2) | Every 3 years, beginning at age 45 or more often and beginning at a younger age at discretion of clinician |
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| Bone Mass Density (BMD) Test (Women) | Consider your risk factors, discuss with you clinician. BMD testing for all post-menopausal women who have one or more risk factors for osteoporosis fractures. |
BMD test once, or more often at discretion of clinician |
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| Infectious Disease Screening | |||||
| Sexually Transmitted Infections (Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and HPV) |
Annual screenings for sexually active patients under 25; annually for patients age 25 and over if at risk2 HPV is for age 26 and under, if not previously vaccinated. |
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| Sensory Screenings | |||||
| Eye Exam for Glaucoma | At least once. Every 3-5 years if at risk2 | Every 2-4 years | Every 1-2 years | ||
| Hearing and Vision Assessment | At discretion of clinician | ||||
| Immunizations | |||||
| Tetanus, Diphtheria (Td) | 3 doses if not previously immunized. Booster every 10 years | ||||
| Influenza | Every year if at high risk2 | Annually | |||
| Pneumococcal | If at high risk2 and not previously immunized | Once after age 65, even if previously vaccinated |
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| Meningococcal (Meningitis) | 1 or more doses if not previously immunized, depending on risk factors and other indicators2 | ||||
| Varicella (Chicken Pox) | 2 doses given at or after age 13 if susceptible2 | ||||
1. Please check subscriber certificate/benefit description for a complete listing of covered tests and procedures. Your plan may not cover every screening test listed.
2. Contact your physician to determine if you are at risk.
3. Pap test may be performed at three-year intervals only after three consecutive negative results.
The following screening tests and vaccinations are not routinely recommended, but may be appropriate depending on your age and/or risk: HIV test (HIV/AIDS); Hepatitis A, B, and C tests; Glucose (Type II Diabetes) test; Tuberculosis skin test; and Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Hepatitis A and B vaccines.
The Preventive Screening Guidelines for Healthy Adults are general guidelines for healthy adults with no current symptoms or personal history of medical conditions. People with medical conditions, or those with a family history for certain diseases, should talk with their doctor about the right recommendations for them.
These guidelines were developed by Massachusetts Health Quality Partners (MHQP), a broad-based coalition of health care providers, plans, and purchasers working together to promote improvement in the quality of health care services in Massachusetts. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is an MHQP member.
