Regular screenings are a great way to take control of your health and be proactive about health issues. Your TRS plan covers 100% of your preventive care, which includes regular screenings for women’s health including:
- Routine mammograms for women 40 and over
- Pap smears for women 21 and older
- Bone density tests for women 65 and older
Your doctor may recommend these tests or others during your yearly wellness exam.
Mammograms
Mammograms are the best way to screen for breast cancer early, when it’s easiest to treat. But it’s important to watch for signs of breast cancer, even if you’ve recently had a mammogram or aren’t in the recommended age range. Symptoms to watch for are:
- Breast pain
- Thickening of the skin of the breast area
- Nipple discharge
- Change in breast size or shape
These may also be signs of non-serious conditions, so be sure to address them with a health care provider.
Do You Need a Mammogram?
Mammograms are recommended for women starting at age 40, but your health care provider may screen early or do other tests if you:
- Have family members with a history of breast, ovarian, tubal or peritoneal cancer
- Have the BReast CAncer (BRCA) gene
These tests may show if you’re at higher risk of breast cancer. You may have out-of-pocket costs for the extra tests. Talk to your doctor about which tests you need.
Pap Smears
Pap smears are recommended for women starting at age 21. Regular Pap smears are the best way to check for cervical cancer and spot early signs, when it’s most treatable. Your provider may recommend a test before age 21 in some cases.
Pap smears are recommended every three years. You may need more frequent exams if you:
- Had an abnormal test result
- Have a history of cancer, pre-cancer or Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV tests are also used for cervical cancer screening. They’re recommended every five years for women 30 to 65. After age 65, women can stop cervical cancer screening if their doctor approves.
Bone Density Tests
A bone density test checks for osteoporosis. All adults naturally lose bone mass as they age. But some people have a greater risk than others for the significant loss that leads to osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is often called the silent disease because it’s common to have no warnings in the early stages. You may not know you have osteoporosis until you break a bone. Paying attention to these symptoms can help:
- Back pain, which can be caused by a broken or collapsed spinal bone
- Loss of height due to weakening back bones
- A stooped or hunched posture where the upper back and shoulders round
- A bone that breaks much more easily than expected
Osteoporosis can cause fractures in any bone, but they are most often in the hip, wrist and spine.
What Can You Do?
It’s possible to prevent or delay bone loss. Starting these prevention efforts when you’re young can help:
- Get enough calcium and vitamin D.
- Eat a well-balanced diet.
- Exercise regularly.
- Don’t smoke.
- Avoid or limit alcohol.
If you’ve been diagnosed with osteoporosis, your health care provider may recommend medication to help prevent fractures.
Resources
Provider Finder®
Use Provider Finder® to search for an in-network OB-GYN or PCP.
Personal Health Guides
A Personal Health Guide can help you find a provider and even schedule an appointment. They're available 24/7 at 1-866-355-5999, or you can chat with them through the BCBSTX App.
Find a Provider
Your plan covers one physical exam and one wellness visit per calendar year. You can ask your provider to combine the visits into one convenient annual care appointment. You and your provider can work as a team to create a preventive care plan for the year.
If you need help finding a provider or have questions about your benefits, please call UnitedHealthcare at 1-866-347-9507, TTY 711, 7 a.m.–6 p.m. CT, Monday–Friday. You can also search for providers online by signing in to your account.