Screening tests help find diseases early, before you have any symptoms. This is when diseases are easier to treat. You can get many of these tests in your doctor's office. Other tests need special equipment.
Here are screening tests you need from ages 40 to 65. The guidelines below come from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). While organizations like the CDC, the American Diabetes Association, and the American Cancer Society may have different recommendations, the USPSTF guidelines are written by an independent panel of health care experts and use evidence-based medicine. The Affordable Care Act requires all health plans* to cover guidelines that the USPSTF gives an A or B rating.
Your doctor may recommend slightly different schedules, depending on your situation and your family's health history. If you have any questions about when you should be tested, talk it over with your doctor.
Screening Tests for Men and Women
| Alcohol misuse | Screening for unhealthy alcohol use in adults 18 and over. | |
| Blood pressure test | Everyone should be tested annually for high blood pressure. If your blood pressure is:
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| Cholesterol test | Everyone from 40 to 75 should have their cholesterol and other blood lipids checked. . | |
Colorectal cancer screening (fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy) | Routine screening is recommended starring at age 45, but if you are at increased risk for colorectal cancer, talk with your doctor about when you should start. | |
Depression | The USPSTF recommends screening for depression in all adults. | |
| Diabetes test |
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Hepatitis B | For people at high risk, including people from countries with 2% or more Hepatitis B prevalence, and U.S.-born people not vaccinated as infants and with at least one parent born in a region with 8% or more Hepatitis B prevalence. | |
| HIV test |
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Lung Cancer | For adults 50 to 80 at high risk for lung cancer because they’re heavy smokers or have quit in the past 15 years. | |
Obesity | For all adults. | |
| Syphilis test | Get tested if you are pregnant or at increased risk for infection. | |
Tobacco Use | For all adults and advice on interventions for smokers. | |
Tuberculousis | For adults who are at high risk. |
Screening Tests for Women Only
| Screening Test | |
| Bone mineral density test (screening for osteoporosis) | The USPSTF recommends starting routine screening at age 65, or earlier for younger women at increased risk for osteoporosis. Check with your doctor about your risk of osteoporosis. |
| Breast cancer screening (mammogram) | Women age 40 and over should get a mammogram every 1-2 years
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| Cervical cancer screening (Pap test) | Get a Pap test every 3 years, or a Pap test along with a human papillomavirus (HPV) test every 5 years. No testing is needed if you had a hysterectomy and have no history of a high-grade precancerous lesion. |
| Chlamydia test | Whether or not you are pregnant, get tested if you are sexually active and at increased risk. If you have to be treated, get retested after 3 months. |
Domestic and interpersonal violence screening and counseling | For all women. |
Gestational diabetes | For women 24 weeks pregnant (or later) and those at high risk of developing gestational diabetes. |
| Gonorrhea test | Whether or not you are pregnant, get tested for gonorrhea if you are sexually active and at increased risk. |
Urinary incontinence screening | Annually for all women. |
Screening Tests for Men Only
Men age 65-75 who have ever smoked should also get a one-time abdominal aortic aneurysm screening.
*If you have an older "grandfathered" health plan that existed and hasn't changed much since 2010 when the Affordable Care Act became a law, your child may not be eligible for the preventive care described above. These older plans do not have to offer free preventive care. Some of them may, though, so always read a plan's summary of benefits before you enroll in it. In addition, short-term health plans – those providing coverage for less than 4 months – also do not have to provide preventive care or many of the other protections of the Affordable Care Act.
