Medicare Preventive Services
Cervical and Vaginal Cancer Screenings
Few things are more important than preventive services when it comes to maintaining your health. Regular checkups and diagnostic procedures are the key to detecting many health concerns in their earliest stages, when you have the best chance of a full recovery.
Especially when it comes to such serious conditions as cervical and vaginal cancer, the earlier you know what you’re up against, the better. Dealing with a problem early usually means you have several viable options to choose from and an excellent chance of success.
Early detection is likely to help your pocketbook as well. Not only can preventive care save your life, it can save you thousands of dollars.
Cervical and Vaginal Cancer
Cervical and vaginal cancer share symptoms including bleeding or discharge unrelated to menstruation, difficult or painful urination, and pain in the pelvic area or during intercourse. Symptoms are not always apparent, however, and often show up only in the latter stages of disease, making successful treatment more difficult. Cervical screening and early detection are vital for this very reason.
Symptoms of cervical and vaginal cancer often go unnoticed because they can be so similar to PMS or ovulation pain. Many women have no idea they are suffering from serious diseases until the later stages, and would have benefited greatly from earlier detection and treatment.
While cervical cancer can affect women of any age, vaginal cancer is usually found in women over 60. Vaginal cancer is relatively rare, although women with cervical cancer are at higher risk for vaginal cancer, which normally develops over many years.
Cervical and Vaginal Cancer Screening
Medicare covers Pap tests and pelvic exams to help detect cervical and vaginal cancers in women. One Pap test and pelvic exam is covered each year for women of childbearing age who had an exam indicating cervical or vaginal cancer or other abnormalities during the past three years or are otherwise considered at high risk for developing cervical or vaginal cancer. Women considered at low risk for cervical cancer are eligible for one Pap smear and pelvic exam every two years.
A clinical breast exam is included as part of the pelvic exam.
Under Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B) you pay nothing for the Pap lab test, Pap test specimen collection, and pelvic and breast exams if your doctor accepts assignment. All women with Medicare are eligible for these preventive services.
Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans, and Medicare Supplement Plans can all go a long way toward providing the preventive care you need to maintain your good health.
If you have further questions about Medicare preventive services or any other aspect of Medicare, contact MedicareMall now and let us lead you with confidence through the Medicare maze!