Prostate Cancer Screening: All men, 50 years of age or older can have a Prostate Cancer Screening once in a 12 month period. This includes a PSA blood test and a digital rectal exam.

Mammogram Screening: All women, 40 years of age and older can have a Mammogram Screening once in a 12 month period. Medicare will even pay for the new digital technologies if offered by your healthcare facility.

Pap test and Pelvic examination: All women, regardless of age, that have Medicare may have a Pap test and Pelvic examination once in a 24-month period. If you are at high risk for cervical or vaginal cancer, Medicare will cover the tests once every 12 months. If you are within childbearing age and have had an abnormal test in the past 36 months you also qualify for the testing every 12 months.

Don’t mistake these policies to mean once every calendar year. Medicare will not pay for a second screening within a twelve month period, even if it is one day early.

What if a problem is detected with my screening? If your healthcare provider detects a problem during the screening and recommends monitoring you more often, check with Medicare to make sure your testing or visits will be paid.

For complete information about Medicare’s screening services, call them at (800) 633-4227 or visit www.medicare.gov.