Women's Preventive Screening Recommendations

Preventive Screening Recommendations Women’s Provided by LHD Benefit Advisors

Coverage for Women’s Health Screenings may vary based on age, gender, personal medical history, and family history. Medical exceptions may apply when pre-disposing factors or elevated health risks are present. Because coverage provisions and clinical guidelines differ, women should review their health plan documents and consult with their trusted healthcare provider to confirm which preventive screenings are most appropriate and ensure they remain current with recommended care. lhdbenefits.com | 401 Pennsylvania Pkwy, Suite 200 | Indianapolis, IN 46280 | 317.705.1600 Coverage Disclaimer:

Annual Physical & Biometrics An annual physical with biometrics is a yearly check-up that gives you and your doctor a full picture of your overall health. It usually includes measuring your height, weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, as well as a review of your personal and family medical history. Depending on your age and health, it may also include lab tests, a physical exam, and screenings for conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or certain cancers. For women, these visits are important because they allow doctors to detect health issues early, track changes over time, and address risk factors that may be influenced by hormones, pregnancy, or menopause. Most women should begin annual physicals in early adulthood (around age 18) and continue once a year throughout life. These yearly visits help prevent disease, support long-term wellness, and ensure you stay up to date on recommended screenings and vaccinations.

Preventive Screenings SKIN CHECK AGE 20+ Starting in your 20s, it’s important to have your skin checked for signs of skin cancer. During an exam, your doctor looks for moles that are unusual in shape or color, larger than a pencil eraser, or that have changed over time. You should have a skin exam every one to two years between ages 20 and 40, and once a year after age 40. Be sure to also check your own skin once a month, identifying skin cancer early makes it much easier to treat. EYE EXAM AGE 20+ Eye exams not only check whether you need glasses or contact lenses, but also help detect vision problems such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends having at least one exam in your 20s and two exams in your 30s. At age 40, you should get a baseline exam and then follow your doctor’s recommendations until age 64. Beginning at age 65, eye exams should be done every one to two years. DENTAL EXAM AGE 1+ The American Dental Association recommends starting regular dental exams by age one, or within six months of the first tooth coming in, and continuing with checkups every six months throughout life. These visits help detect tooth decay and oral cancer early, and allow your dentist to check your bite and spot issues such as teeth grinding or jaw joint problems. For women, regular dental care is especially important because hormonal changes during pregnancy, menopause, and even monthly cycles can increase the risk of gum disease and other oral health concerns. lhdbenefits.com | 401 Pennsylvania Pkwy, Suite 200 | Indianapolis, IN 46280 | 317.705.1600

Well-Woman Visit A well-woman visit is a yearly check-up focused on a woman’s overall health and preventive care. During this visit, your doctor or nurse reviews your medical history, checks your vital signs, and discusses your lifestyle and health goals. It often includes screenings such as a Pap test, pelvic exam, breast exam, and recommended blood work, depending on your age and risk factors. Your provider may also talk with you about birth control, peri-menopause, menopause, mental health, vaccinations, and ways to stay healthy long term. Well-woman visits are important because they help catch health problems early, support reproductive health, and provide personalized guidance at every stage of life. These visits are recommended once a year starting in the late teens or early 20s and continuing throughout adulthood.

PELVIC EXAM & PAP SMEAR AGE 21+ A female pelvic exam is a physical exam where a doctor checks the health of the reproductive organs, including the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. During this exam, a Pap smear may also be done, which is a simple test that collects cells from the cervix to check for cervical cancer or precancerous changes. The pelvic exam helps detect infections, abnormal growths, and other health issues, and it is also a time when a doctor may recommend an ovarian cancer screening, especially for women with risk factors such as family history or certain genetic conditions. Pelvic exams are usually recommended starting at age 21, or earlier if symptoms like pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, or unusual discharge are present. Depending on age, health history, and risk factors, most women have them every one to three years as part of routine care. A diagnostic heart scan, such as a coronary calcium scan, uses imaging to look for plaque buildup in the arteries and helps detect heart disease early. It is especially valuable for women, since heart disease is the leading cause of death and symptoms can often be subtle or different from men. Doctors may recommend this scan every three to five years for women with risk factors like family history, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or smoking. HEART SCREENING AGE 20+ lhdbenefits.com | 401 Pennsylvania Pkwy, Suite 200 | Indianapolis, IN 46280 | 317.705.1600 BONE DENSITY TEST AGE 40+ A DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan measures bone density to help assess bone health and osteoporosis risk. Women should consider a preventive DEXA screening around age 40 to establish a baseline that can be used to monitor changes in bone density as they age. Routine screening is recommended for women age 65 and older. Please note that fees may apply for screenings completed before age 65. If results are normal, repeat every 5–10 years; if low or at higher risk, repeat every 2–5 years.

Mammogram A mammogram is a special X-ray of the breast that can find signs of breast cancer early, sometimes before a lump can be felt. There are different types of mammograms. A screening mammogram is a routine test for women with no symptoms, while a diagnostic mammogram is done if there is a lump or an unusual result. Most mammograms today are digital (2D), which give flat pictures of the breast. A newer option is the 3D mammogram (tomosynthesis). It takes many pictures from different angles to make a clearer, layered view of the breast. This helps doctors see more detail, find smaller cancers, and reduces false alarms—especially for women with dense breast tissue. Because it gives a more complete picture, 3D mammography is often the best option. Most women should start having mammograms at age 40 and repeat them every one to two years, depending on their health and risk. lhdbenefits.com | 401 Pennsylvania Pkwy, Suite 200 | Indianapolis, IN 46280 | 317.705.1600

HEARING SCREENING AGE 50+ Women should have their hearing checked with a baseline test by age 50, or sooner if they notice changes in hearing. After that, it’s recommended to have a hearing test every 3 years, and more often if hearing loss is suspected or if you’re frequently exposed to loud noise. Regular hearing checks are important because hearing loss can happen gradually and often goes unnoticed. For women, untreated hearing loss is linked not only to communication difficulties, but also to a higher risk of social isolation, depression, and even cognitive decline. Early detection helps protect both quality of life and overall health. COLONOSCOPY AGE 45+ Colorectal cancer screening checks for cancer and polyps that may become cancerous. For those at average risk, screening should start at age 45 and be repeated about every 10 years with a colonoscopy, or more often with other tests or if you have higher risk factors such as family history, prior polyps, or inflammatory bowel disease. Screening is especially important for women, since colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women, and early detection makes treatment more effective.

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