Health checks for men and women

Regular health checks help ensure that health risks and diseases are detected early on

Health checks aim to detect diseases early so they can be treated in time. After all, the earlier a disease is detected, the better the chances of recovery. As an SBK customer, you benefit from our comprehensive screening scheme, which sometimes goes even beyond the statutory requirements.

Ein Mann trägt eine Frau im Huckepack auf dem Rücken. Die beiden sind in der Natur und lachen herzlich. — ©gettyimages.de

Health checks – your SBK benefits:

SBK covers the cost of skin cancer screening as an extra service even for customers younger than 35 years old.*
With the health MOT, diseases such as heart disease, diabetes mellitus and kidney disease can be detected early. Find out more on the Health MOT page.
‘Discovering Hands’ breast cancer screening: SBK customers can take advantage of a special tactile breast examination as an extra service. You can find out more from your personal consultant.

What to expect during a health check for adults

Regardless of whether the patient is male or female, the doctor first takes a medical history: they ask about illnesses and diseases that have occurred previously in your family. Then they begin the actual examination. The doctor shares the results with you either at the end of the examination or in a follow-up appointment. If the doctor determines that something requires further investigation, they may order more tests. Alternatively, they may provide tips on lifestyle changes that help get your health back on track.

What costs does the SBK cover?

From the age of 35, skin cancer screening every two years is a statutory service and is charged through the health care card. SBK covers the cost of skin cancer screening up a max. of 25 euros each year as an extra service for customers aged 34 and younger. In Bavaria, Lower Saxony and Bremen, screening is covered by the health care card. Screening can be carried out by approved GPs/dermatologists. In Bavaria and Lower Saxony, the costs are only covered for participating practitioners. Your personal consultant will gladly provide you with information on participating practitioners.

How to get a health check

Health checks are carried out by participating practitioners. Learn which specialists can examine you in each case under ‘Health checks for women’ or ‘Health checks for men’.

Age	Early detection of which disease?	Scope of examination	Frequency	Which practitioner?
No age limit	Skin cancer	Medical history, full body skin screening by visual inspection, consultation	Annually; every two years from the age of 35*	Skin specialist / dermatologist (suitably qualified)
No age limit	Breast cancer	Medical tactile examination of the breasts (Discovering Hands)	Annually	Gynaecologist
No age limit	Breast cancer	MammaCare classes for learning about breast self-examination	one time**	certified MammaCare trainer
18 to 34	Heart disease, kidney disease, other abnormalities (health MOT),	Medical history and compilation of a risk profile, determination of physical state, blood and urine tests (cholesterol, blood sugar, protein, erythrocytes, leukocytes, nitrite)	one time, every three years from age 35	GP
20 or older	Cervical cancer	Medical history, vaginal and cervical examination, tactile examination of the uterus, smear* and examination of any cell changes, consultation *From the age of 35, you will receive a smear test and HPV test every three years.	Annually	Gynaecologist
25 or younger	Chlamydia infection (bacteria that may lead to infertility)	Urine test, consultation	Annually	Gynaecologist
30 or older	Breast cancer	Medical history, tactile examination of the breasts and lymph nodes, guidance on breast self-examination, consultation	Annually	Gynaecologist
35 or older	Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases, other abnormalities (health MOT)	Medical history and compilation of a risk profile, determination of physical state, blood and urine tests (cholesterol, blood sugar, protein, erythrocytes, leucocytes, nitrite)	Every three years	GP
35 or older	hepatitis B and hepatitis C screening as part of the health MOT	Counselling on risks of hepatitis infections, screening for hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus infection by blood test	One time	GP
50 to 69	Breast cancer (mammography)	X-ray examination of the breasts through mammography, consultation	Every two years	Certified radiological practice
50 or older	Colon cancer	Tactile examination of the rectum, consultation	Annually	GP
50 to 55	Colon cancer	Quick test to check for invisible blood in the stool, consultation	Annually	Gastroenterologist
55 or older	Colon cancer	Colonoscopy and consultation, or quick test to check for invisible blood in the stool as well as a consultation	A second colonoscopy after ten years (if no colonoscopy, then a stool test every two years)	Gastroenterologist or stool test with GP

*From the age of 35, skin cancer screening every two years is a statutory service and is charged through the healthcare card. SBK covers the cost of skin cancer screening up a max. of 25 euros each year as an extra service for customers aged 34 and younger. In Bavaria, Lower Saxony and Bremen, screening is covered by the healthcare card. Screening can be carried out by approved GPs/dermatologists. In Bavaria and Lower Saxony, the costs are only covered for participating practitioners. Your personal consultant will gladly provide you with information on participating practitioners.

**SBK covers two-thirds, up to €30.00, of the costs of a MammaCare class.You can find out more from your personal consultant.

You can download an overview of all health checks as a PDF here:

Health checks for women PDF, 492 KB

Age	Early detection of which disease?	Scope of examination	Frequency	Which practitioner?
No age limit	Skin cancer	Medical history, full body skin screening, consultation	Annually; every two years from the age of 35*	Skin specialist / dermatologist
18 to 34	diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, other abnormalities (health MOT)	medical history and compilation of a risk profile, determination of physical state, blood and urine tests (cholesterol, blood sugar, protein, erythrocytes, leukocytes, nitrite)	one time, every three years from age 35	GP
35 or older	Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases, other abnormalities (health MOT)	Medical history and compilation of a risk profile, determination of physical state, blood and urine tests (cholesterol, blood sugar, protein, erythrocytes, leucocytes, nitrite)	Every three years	GP
35 or older	hepatitis B and hepatitis C screening as part of the health MOT	Counselling on risks of hepatitis infections, screening for hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus infection by blood test	One time	GP
45 or older	Prostate cancer	Medical history, genital examination, tactile examination of the prostate and lymph nodes, consultation	Annually	Urologist
50 or older	Colon cancer	Tactile examination of the rectum, consultation	Annually	GP
50 or older	Colon cancer	Colonoscopy and consultation Quick test to check for invisible blood in the stool, consultation	A second colonoscopy after ten years	Gastroenterologist
Alternative to colonoscopy**
50 to 54	Colon cancer	Quick test to check for invisible blood in the stool as well as a consultation	Annually	GP
55 or older	Colon cancer	Quick test to check for invisible blood in the stool as well as a consultation	Every two years	GP

65 or older	Abdominal aortic aneurysms	Ultrasound of the abdominal arteries	Once	GP, internist, urologist

*From the age of 35, skin cancer screening every two years is a statutory service and is charged through the healthcare card. SBK covers the cost of skin cancer screening up to a max. of 25 euros each year as an extra service for customers aged 34 and younger. In Bavaria, Lower Saxony and Bremen, screening is covered by the healthcare card. Screening can be carried out by approved GPs/dermatologists. In Bavaria and Lower Saxony, the costs are only covered for participating practitioners. Your personal consultant will gladly provide you with information on participating practitioners.

** If at 50 years old you decide against having a colonoscopy, you are entitled to an annual stool test until the age of 55. From the age of 55 you are entitled to a stool test every two years. If you have a colonoscopy, you are entitled to another colonoscopy after a period of ten years. Alternatively, you can also opt for a stool test, which can be performed every two years.

You can download an overview of all health checks as a PDF here:

Health checks for men PDF, 452 KB

Overview of preventive check-ups

Here you will find an overview of all information on the preventive medical check-ups

: Early detection screenings or health checks are used to catch diseases at such an early stage that the patient is not yet experiencing any symptoms. These examinations are therefore aimed only at individuals who are symptom-free. The Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) makes decisions that are binding for all statutory health insurers as to which groups of individuals are offered which screenings. SBK covers the cost of these health checks for you; simply present your SBK health care card.

: When an individual is already experiencing symptoms and wants a doctor to investigate the cause of these symptoms, this check is no longer considered an early detection screening. The aim then is to diagnose the cause of the symptoms, get treatment started and ultimately achieve a full recovery for the patient.
Diagnostics may include the same tests that a health check does, making it sometimes difficult to tell the difference between the two types of examination. If you notice blood in your stool, for example, the doctor may carry out a colonoscopy to investigate the cause. But this colonoscopy is not being used for early detection. Important: all medically necessary examinations that are conducted in order to investigate the case of an existing symptom are covered by health insurance as a statutory service regardless of the age of the patient. SBK will cover the cost of these examinations through your SBK healthcare card.

: In the case of complex diseases or diseases with a risk of relapse (such as cancer), conducting regular checks is important once initial treatment is complete. These checks are known as follow-up examinations. The aim is to ensure that treatment is successful in the long term, for example, by detecting cancer relapses early. The doctor treating you will create a follow-up plan for this purpose. SBK will cover the costs of follow-up examinations that are deemed medically necessary. All you need to do is present your SBK health care card.

: During a health check your doctor may offer additional services for which you must pay privately. These are called personalised healthcare services and are not covered by statutory health insurance. You can find out more about personalised health care services from your personal consultant.

Health checks for men and women

Health checks – your SBK benefits:

What to expect during a health check for adults

What costs does the SBK cover?

How to get a health check

Health checks for women

Health checks for men

Overview of preventive check-ups

Early detection screenings or health checks

Diagnostics

Follow-up

Personalised healthcare services