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Preventive Services

	Cervical and Vaginal Cancer Screening (Pap Test and Pelvic Exam)

Medicare covers Pap tests and pelvic exams to check for cervical and vaginal cancers. As part of the pelvic exam, Medicare covers a clinical breast exam to check for breast cancer.

How often is it covered?

A Pap test and pelvic exam are covered by Medicare once every 24 months. However, if you are of childbearing age and have had an abnormal Pap test within the past 36 months, or if you are at high risk for cervical or vaginal cancer, Medicare will cover a Pap test and pelvic exam every 12 months.

For whom?

All women with Medicare

Your costs in the Original Medicare Plan?

You pay nothing for the Pap lab test. For Pap test collection and pelvic and breast exams, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount with no Part B deductible.

What factors increase risk for cervical cancer?

Your risk for cervical cancer increases if …

You have had an abnormal Pap test
You have had cancer in the past
You have been infected with the Human papillomavirus (HPV)
You began having sex before age 16
You have had many sexual partners
Your mother took DES (Diethylstilbestrol), a hormonal drug, when she was pregnant with you
You have a diet that is low in fruits and vegetables
You are overweight or obese
You had many full term pregnancies

To learn more about cervical cancer, click on the following links:

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=&dt=8

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/cervical/

Page Last Updated: March 27, 2008