Preventive check-ups and screening: what health insurers offer

In short: Preventive and early-detection examinations aim to prevent diseases or detect them so early that they can be treated well. German statutory health insurers pay for many of these examinations at set intervals.

In more detail: Which examinations you are entitled to depends mainly on your age and sex. Age limits and intervals are adjusted from time to time; you can get the current details from your health insurer (Krankenkasse) or your GP practice.

In detail

• General health check-up: Adults can have a general check-up at certain intervals, which looks at blood pressure, blood values and risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, among other things.
• Cancer screening: From certain ages there are examinations for the early detection of, for example, skin, bowel, cervical, breast or prostate cancer.
• Children and teenagers: The check-ups U1 to U9 and the youth examination J1 accompany a child’s development; the yellow child health booklet records the appointments.
• Dental check-ups: Regular check-ups at the dentist are part of prevention; a fully kept bonus booklet (Bonusheft) can later increase the health insurer’s contribution towards dentures and crowns (zahnpflege-richtig).
• Check your vaccinations: A check-up is a good opportunity to have your vaccination record reviewed and to catch up on missing vaccinations (impfungen-grundlagen).
• Benefits and limits: Early detection can save lives, but no test is perfect; ask to have the advantages and disadvantages of an examination explained before you decide.
• Self-pay services: Individual health services (IGeL) are offers that the health insurer does not pay for; you may take time to think and should question their benefit critically.
• Prevention does not replace a doctor’s visit: If you have symptoms, do not wait for the next check-up, but see a practice promptly (hausarzt-und-ueberweisung).
• Use reminders: Many health insurers send reminders about upcoming examinations; your own calendar entry also helps you not to miss a check-up.