What are preventive check-ups?
Preventive health check-ups are medical tests designed to detect health issues early. The German government has created a list of recommended check-ups you can do after a certain age. You can simply book the check-ups with your general practitioner, gynecologist, and dentist.
What's covered
All private health insurance plans cover preventive check-ups mandated by the government, without age limits. Coverage varies by gender.
Coverage recommended by the government
Women
Women
18–35: one-time general health check at a general doctor
From 20: yearly cervical cancer screening (pap smear)
Up to 25: yearly chlamydia test
From 30: yearly breast and skin check, and self-breast exam instruction
From 35:
combined cervical cytology & HPV test every 3 years
General health check (heart, kidney, diabetes) every 3 years
One-time hepatitis B & hepatitis C screening
Full-body skin cancer screening every 2 years
50–75: mammography screening every 2 years
From 50: colon cancer screening, either every 2 years via a stool test or two colonoscopies 10 years apart
Men
Men
18–35: one-time general health check at a general doctor
From 35:
General health check (heart, kidney, diabetes) every 3 years
One-time hepatitis B & hepatitis C screening
Full-body skin cancer screening every 2 years
From 45: yearly genital & prostate cancer check
50–54: yearly stool test for colon cancer or two colonoscopies 10 years apart
From 65: one-time ultrasound to detect abdominal aortic aneurysm
Children
Children
Standard check-ups according to the statutory child screening schedule (called U1-U9, and J1-J2)
Newborn hearing test, hip ultrasound, pulse oximetry for heart defects
Additional services in newer long-term private health plans
All services listed above without age limits, plus the additional check-ups listed below.
Women
Women
Osteoporosis screening: bone density measurement, ultrasound
Dental cleaning: with fluoride treatments, fissure sealing
Cardiovascular & diabetes testing:
Extended tests beyond statutory recommendations(cholesterol, kidney function, creatinine)
Resting ECG as part of a cardiovascular check
Vaginal ultrasound for ovarian cancer
Breast ultrasound in addition to mammography
Colposcopy for detailed cervical cancer screening
Pregnancy screenings
Extensive infection screening (toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus, herpes, varicella, hepatitis A & C, parvovirus)
First-trimester screening (nuchal fold ultrasound, PAPP-A, β-hCG)
Non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT)
Triple & quadruple tests (AFP, estriol, inhibin A)
Men
Men
Osteoporosis screening: bone density measurement, ultrasound
Dental cleaning: with fluoride treatments, fissure sealing
Cardiovascular & diabetes testing:
Extended tests beyond statutory recommendations(cholesterol, kidney function, creatinine)
Resting ECG as part of a cardiovascular check
PSA blood test for prostate cancer
PCA-3 genetic test for prostate cancer risk
Prostate sonography
Children
Children
Expanded newborn metabolic screening: PKU, MCAD, CF, etc.
How can preventive check-ups affect my no-claims bonus?
Some insurance plans offer a no-claims bonus if you submit no claims during the year, or only claims for preventive check-ups. Check your plan details to confirm whether preventive check-ups affect your no-claims bonus.
If preventive check-ups are covered without reducing your no-claims bonus, share the official list of covered examinations with your doctor when booking your appointment. This helps avoid additional charges that could impact your bonus.
If services beyond the covered preventive check-ups are billed and affect your no-claims bonus, this will be indicated in your bill statement. You can contact our support team for assistance to have the bill withdrawn to protect your bonus.