Health Screenings By Age

-Reminder this information is not applicable to children or pregnant women who usually have a different set of parameters. Pease see USPSTF or JAMA

Recommended Health Screenings By Age

If you want to maintain optimal health, there are plenty of ways to do so: Diet, exercise, and medical screening. By 2024 standards (which will be continually undergoing changes), the following is an outline of age-appropriate preventive guidelines outlined by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), UCLA, the American Academy of Pediatrics, ASHA (audiology recommendations), and others to help guide you in your health journey.

Insurance Companies Requirements to Cover USPSTF Recommendation (2024)

You should consider the following preventive and screening guidelines according to your age. Moreover, insurance companies often cover those things that the USPSTF recommends but sometimes these companies have their own ideas of what services they will cover, how often they will cover them and at what age they will cover them.

Typically, insurance covers an annual physical exam, routine lab work and some vaccines.

If services are USPSTF recommended (called recommendations in the A+B categories) and you do not have insurance or your insurance does not cover a specific service, you can often negotiate a self-pay rate for services. In the case of lab work, (see lab testing) you can also order many of your own lab tests (see lab testing) and pay on a out-of-pocket (FSA and HSA cards often cover these). Of course, if a lab result is abnormal, you should speak to a healthcare provider. A "sick visit" should be at least partially covered by your insurance but watch out for the high deductible plans.

Note: Keep your eye out this spring (2025) for possible changes in USPSTF recommendation policies and related changes in your insurance coverage: There is a current challenge in the courts to cancel mandatory preventive coverage.

​** Recommended Health Screenings discussed below do not include age 12 and under and do not include recommendations for pregnant women - these can be found on the USPSTF website. There are other variations of these guidelines at JAMA's website and the Department of Health and Human Services, AHRQ and the CDC.

If you actually have symptoms related to the screenings below, you should not wait for your screening window. You should have them evaluated sooner by a healthcare provider.

There are a few general lifetime  "rules" on health screenings

A thorough physical exam should be done in the teens and, if no problems are found, every two to three years thereafter (more frequently if a problem arises). For those with medical problems, health risks or a positive family history, a physical exam should be done annually - from teens to older age

A physical exam typically includes:

• Visual and auscultatory (listening) and neurologic exam

• Vital signs, (blood pressure, heart rate) weight and height 

• Screenings and labs (based on USPSTF recommendations)

• Tests are ordered based on findings during the exam. Routine labs are normally done but if your healthcare provider suspects there may be something amiss with your health based on your history and exam, that practitioner may give you additional testing outside of the USPSTF guidelines or refer you to a specialist. For example, screenings may be done more frequently in the case of high or low blood pressure, high A1C (glucose levels), heavy menses, obesity or excessive weight loss, heart attack, or family death at a young age, and other risk factors.

• Health recommendations and education by your provider are typically included during a physical exam.

Recommended Screenings by Age ​​​(Most recently listed as of 2025)

Note: Categories A+B are recommended therefore likely covered by insurance; category I [insufficient evidence of beneficial outcomes] and others may not be

Adolescent Through Older Adult (12-75)

Age:​

12-80+ Mental Health - Annually (during physical exam)

•  Anxiety (USPSTF category B 64 years and under; category I 65 and older)

•  Depression-Suicide risk (USPSTF B)

•  Substance Abuse (UPSTF B for people 18 and older; adolescents category I)

•  BMI/Screen for eating disorders (UPSTF I) - Healthy diet and weight counseling should be discussed but UPSTF guidelines only list those with BMI >30 with cardiac risk as a category B.

12-80+  Oral Health/Dental - Cleaning and check-up every 6 months and as needed (no adult USPTF recommendations for primary care clinicians: Most dental offices recommend a routine exam and cleaning every 6 months(and dental insurance usually covers two of these every year) however the American Dental Association has not determined a time frame: It is based on individual factors and resources.

12-80+  Herpes Simplex (1 and 2) - serologic screening as needed (oral and genital herpes respectively) (USPSTF D - not recommended if asymptomatic)

12-80+  Visual Acuity (regular eye exam) - USPSTF I if "asymptomatic"/not indicated in those 65 years and older. The American Association of Ophthalmology recommends in adults: Exam at 40 years; between 40-54 every 2-4 years; 55-64 years every 1-3 years; 65 and older every 1-2 years. Of course this schedule will vary depending on if there are any eye issues.

Routine glaucoma/cataract check: 40 and older USPSTF I

Glaucoma Risk (i.e. borderline, hypertension, diabetes, genetic, corticosteroids and others) Cleveland Clinic cites the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommendations: Under 40 every 2-5 years; 40-54 every 1-3 years; 55-65+ every 1-2 years

Active glaucoma: Check every 6-12 months

18-79 Hepatitis C – One time and as needed (USPSTF B)

18-80+ - Sexually transmitted infections (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV). Testing frequency depends on history and/or symptoms/prevention/HIV preexposure prophylaxis. As needed for the following:

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: Sexually active women 24 years or younger and 25 and older with increased risk (USPSTF B). Sexually active men (USPSTF I).

Syphilis: Those adolescents and adults who have been sexually active and are at increased risk (USPSTF A)

HIV: As needed for those at risk age 15-65 (USPSTF A)

Trichomoniasis: As needed No USPSTF recommendations-discuss with a healthcare provider.

Often an STI pane is done which covers most of these. Because HIV appears positive in nucleic acid tests after 10-33 days of exposure and antibody/antigen tests 18-90 days after exposure it may be deferred for 2-3 weeks after possible exposure)

​18-40+  Hearing - Asymptomatic adults over 50 - not recommended USPSTF I:

According to the NIH, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association recommend screening in adulthood every 10 years until 50 years old. After 50 increase hearing screenings to every 3 years.

Those at risk (certain ototoxic medications, chronic exposure to loud sounds, head trauma, history of frequent ear infections, stroke, diabetes and others) exposure to loud sounds, or with hearing problems: every 3-5 years then; 40 to 59 years every 3 years; 60 and older folks should have their hearing checked annually

12-80+  Labs (blood testing) as needed for those who are symptomatic or those at risk (those with heavy menses, obesity, diabetes, high l, family history - see above)

Adults (21-80+)

​Above plus the following-

​ ​​21-80+  Labs - The following are "routine" labs that cover many potential physical problems. Recommendations vary, but generally, they should be done at 21 years of age and, if they are normal, every 1-3 years thereafter. They may be done more often if you are symptomatic, have had abnormal labs in the past, have a family history of problems (like cholesterol), or have other risk factors. 

• CBC (Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia, clotting, infectious process)

• LFT's (Liver function tests)

• CMP (complete metabolic panel) - Including glucose (to check for diabetes), liver enzymes, kidney function, sodium, potassium, calcium, total protein, and carbon dioxide.

• Thyroid testing

• Lipid Panel

• Urinalysis

• Sometimes, an A1C, which measures your average sugar level for the last three months, is ordered.

• Sometimes vitamin D (often, insurance will not cover this unless there is a known problem)

• Sometimes a prostate level (PSA) on males (see below)

  
  

​(These labs are good because they tell you what is happening inside your body that you cannot see on the outside).

21 years old (female) Cervical screening every 3 years, if normal, until 30. From 30 to 65 years of age cervical screening is recommended every 3 years until 65. If high-risk every 5 years with different test (hrHPV) testing alone or hrHPV with cytology (USPSTF A currently in the process of being updated). If over 65 years, a PAP is not recommended for those with no risk and and for those who have had adequate prior screening.

​21-80+  Full Body Skin Exam - As needed (USPSTF I). If you have any suspect skin lesions, insurance should cover skin inspection.

21-80+ Screen for Healthy Diet and Physical Activity for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention (questions asked during physical exam)

21-80+  Vitamin, mineral, and multivitamin supplementation recommendations during physical exam and depending on any lab work.

35-80+  Women at increased risk for breast cancer aged 35 years or older should be offered risk-reducing medications, such as tamoxifen, raloxifene, or aromatase inhibitors to those at an increased risk of breast cancer (USPSTF B)

40-74 Mammogram. Every two years (USPSTF B). 75 years and older consider risks versus benefits (USPSTF I)

45-75 Colorectal cancer screening (45-75). Use a fecal occult blood card yearly. This card checks for blood in your stool, which might indicate cancer, diverticulosis, polyps, or other colon conditions. Since some conditions may not cause bleeding, the cards are limited in accuracy for cancer screenings., so it is recommended that you get an annual colonoscopy every 10 years (every five years or more frequently, depending on your last colonoscopy findings and risk factors). For 45-49 (USPSTF B) and for ages 50-75 (USPSTF A). As needed for symptomatic individuals with lower gastrointestinal problems.

50-80  Cardiac calcium scoring to determine cardiac risk. This determination is in progress with the UPSSTF however there was a preliminary decision on "no recommendation" due to insufficient evidence USPSTF I recommendation.

50-80  Screen for lung cancer:  Cat Scan - This is actually covered by medicare and some other private insurances if you have the following qualifications: If you have a history of heavy smoking, and smoke currently or quit within the past 15 years, are 50–77 years old, are asymptomatic, Have a history of smoking at least 20 pack years (at least 1 pack a day for 20 years) and have a doctor's order for the screening.

50 yrs  Osteoporosis/Bone Density. Recommended for those 65 and older or those younger than 65 years and at risk (USPSTF B in women I in men).The USPSTF does not designate a frequency interval but it is typically about 2-5 years.

​​​​55-60 yrs (males) Prostate screening (PSA)– Prostate cancer screenings are done at the patient's discretion: That is, the doctor gives a patient the choice. It is highly recommended for a person with a family history of prostate cancer and/or African Americans (these folks should start at 45 years of age) (USPSTF C). For those over 70, it is recommended that you do not screen (USPSTF D) as of 12/19/2024, this recommendation is in the process of being amended by the USPSTF. Discuss risks versus benefits with your healthcare provider.

​60+  Annual screening during physical exam for:

• COPD

• Potential for preventive aspirin use

• Assessment for balance/falling

65-75  Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Men (ex and current smokers)- Recommended (USPSTF B)

Men (non-smokers) - (USPSTF C) - may be of benefit

Women (ex and current smokers) - (USPSTF I) - risks versus benefits

Women (non-smokers) - Does not recommend (USPSTF D)

As Needed

Tb Testing: This is typically done if you are at risk for getting Tb: If you are immune compromised for any reason; before taking some medications, if you are in contact with at-risk populations or if you work in the healthcare consider getting this annually.

Sleep Apnea Testing: Sleep apnea can shorten your lifespan by years because the oxygen you need ​is not getting to your vital organs. Additionally, you may suffer a great deal of fatigue. If you awaken many times a night or if your bed partner tells you that you snore, gasp or stop breathing at night, it is important to get tested for sleep apnea. If you are planning to file this through insurance, you may need a referral to a specialist and some insurance companies do not even offer this (USPSTF I)

Again, if you have symptoms, you can visit with a healthcare provider to explore those symptoms outside of the intervals mentioned above. Most physical problems, illnesses or injuries are at least partially covered by your insurance. If you have any questions about coverage, call your insurance company.