Early detection of disease: These preventive medical check-ups are covered by your statutory health insurance.

Have you had a preventative health check-up this year? The figures show year after year that far fewer adults in Germany take advantage of early detection screenings than they are entitled to. Yet, statutory health insurance companies only cover appointments that studies have shown to have a medical benefit, or those that promise long-term cost savings.

"Diseases such as high blood pressure or elevated blood lipids often begin subtly but can lead to stroke or heart attack. The earlier cancer, diabetes, or cardiovascular diseases are diagnosed and treated, the better," states the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV). Furthermore, keeping one's vaccination status up to date increases the chances of avoiding serious infectious diseases.

So, what treatments are available to all people with statutory health insurance in Germany? Which of these should you take advantage of? And what else do doctors recommend?

During childhood and adolescence, the network of recommended checkups is particularly comprehensive. Many people also receive their basic vaccinations during visits to the pediatrician – but these need to be boosted regularly throughout life to remain effective against many diseases. There are also numerous other preventative care appointments that adults can have covered by their statutory health insurance.

For all persons, one-time offer, aged between 18 and 34 years:

• Your medical history will be reviewed. It will also be checked whether you have all the recommended vaccinations. The doctor will examine your body, measuring your blood pressure and pulse, listening to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope, weighing you, palpating your lower abdomen, and testing your senses. The results will be discussed with you later.
• Services offered by family doctors, general practitioners, internists and other practicing physicians

According to the German Cancer Information Service, people should also undergo this examination if they have had a partial or total hysterectomy. The doctor may then omit some of the examination elements.

For biologically female individuals, annually, from the age of 20:

• Your medical history will be reviewed. The doctor will examine your genitals by palpation and visual inspection, also using a small mirror inserted internally. The results will be discussed later.
• Offered by gynecologists

Annually, between the ages of 20 and 34:

• The doctor uses a small brush or spatula to take a tissue sample from the lining of the cervix and cervical canal, known as a Pap smear. The collected cells are then examined in a laboratory.

Every three years, starting from the age of 35:

• The doctor uses a small brush or spatula to take a tissue sample from the mucous membrane of the cervix and cervical canal, known as a Pap smear. An additional test for human papillomavirus (HPV) is also performed.

Breast cancer can affect anyone. However, health insurance companies do not routinely cover early detection screenings for men.

For biologically female individuals, annually, from the age of 30:

• The doctor will examine the breasts and the lymph nodes in the armpit. He or she will provide instructions on how to examine the breasts oneself at regular intervals.
• offered by gynecologists

For all persons, every three years, from the age of 35:

• Your medical history will be reviewed. It will also be checked whether you have all the recommended vaccinations. The doctor will examine your body, measuring your blood pressure and pulse, listening to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope, weighing you, palpating your lower abdomen, and testing your senses. Blood lipid and blood sugar levels will be measured. Your urine will be analyzed in a laboratory. The results will be discussed later. – As a one-time service during these check-ups, the practice will also test your blood for hepatitis B and C.
• offered by family doctors, general practitioners, internists and other practicing physicians

For all persons, every two years, from the age of 35:

• Your medical history will be reviewed. The doctor will examine your entire skin surface for any abnormalities. The results will be discussed later.
• offered by dermatologists, general practitioners, internists and other practicing physicians

For biologically male persons, annually, from the age of 45:

• Your medical history will be reviewed. The doctor will examine and palpate your external genitalia, as well as the lymph nodes surrounding the genitals. The prostate will be examined by inserting a finger into the rectum. The results will be discussed later.
• Offered by urologists

For biologically female individuals, every two years, aged between 50 and 75 years:

• Your medical history will be reviewed. A mammogram, also known as a breast X-ray screening, will be performed. For this, your breast will be compressed between two plates. You will be informed of the results of the examination later.
• Offered by gynecologists

For all persons aged 50 and over:

• The doctor will advise you on the two options for early detection of colorectal cancer and their strengths and weaknesses.
• Offered by general practitioners, gynecologists, urologists and other doctors who provide cancer screening services.

Depending on your subsequent decision, either twice, with an interval of at least ten years:

• For a colonoscopy, you will go to a doctor's office or clinic. You will first empty your bowels with the help of a laxative. Under anesthesia, the doctor will insert a slim instrument with a small camera at the end through your anus and into your colon. They will then examine the lining of the colon and, if necessary, remove any precancerous growths, known as polyps.
• Offered by specialists in internal medicine with a focus on gastroenterology, i.e., specialists for the gastrointestinal tract.

or every two years:

• You provide a stool sample, which is then tested in the laboratory for blood (including invisible blood).
• Offered by general practitioners, surgeons, gynecologists, internists, dermatologists and urologists

For biologically male persons, one-time only, from the age of 65:

• Your doctor will advise you on the possibility of having an examination for abdominal aortic aneurysms. – According to the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, approximately 2 out of 100 men between the ages of 65 and 75 have such a bulge in their abdominal aorta, which, however, does not necessarily become dangerous.
• Offered by general practitioners, urologists, internists, surgeons and radiologists

If you decide to undergo the examination:

• An ultrasound scan of your abdominal aorta will be performed.

Those with statutory health insurance are entitled to a dental check-up every six months. People belonging to certain risk groups may also be entitled to more preventative examinations than those listed here, for example, if several close family members have a particular disease. Intersex individuals must clarify with their health insurance provider beforehand which examinations are covered.

The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) generally only recommends those checks that are also covered by statutory health insurance, according to KBV press spokesman Roland Stahl. "We are adhering to the guidelines adopted by the Federal Joint Committee," he explains.

The Federal Joint Committee (GBA) determines for Germany which services are part of adequate, appropriate, and economical healthcare, as guaranteed by law. It does so based on scientific findings. However, if doctors from different specialties are asked for their opinion, they may recommend additional so-called "individual health services" (IGeL) that they personally consider effective and beneficial.

Many people in Germany don't even take advantage of the early detection appointments offered free of charge by their statutory health insurance. For example, between 2021 and 2024, only about 16 percent of the approximately 44,000 to 45,000 people over the age of 35 with statutory health insurance attended a skin cancer screening examination. They are entitled to this examination every two years.

Women, on average, use their specific cancer screening appointments significantly more often than men: Between 2021 and 2024, 24 percent of women aged 50 to 75 had a mammogram annually. The recommended screening every two years is recommended. An even higher percentage of women aged 20 and older took advantage of the annual screening for cervical and genital cancer: 50 percent. However, during the same period, only 26 percent of men aged 45 and older went to the doctor for their annual screening for prostate and genital cancer.