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.
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 ( | 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 | 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
**SBK covers two-thirds, up to €30.00, of the costs of a MammaCare class.You can find out more from your
You can download an overview of all health checks as a PDF here:
| 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 ( | 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 | 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
** 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:
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
