Medicare.gov

Cervical & vaginal cancer screenings

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers Pap tests and pelvic exams to check for cervical and vaginal cancers.

  • Covered by Part B
  • Preventive Service
  • Once every 24 months in most cases

  • You pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment

Coverage details

As part of the pelvic exam, Medicare also covers a clinical breast exam to check for breast cancer.

Costs

If your doctor or other health care provider accepts assignment , you pay nothing for the:

  • Lab Pap test
  • Lab HPV with the Pap test
  • Pap test specimen collection
  • Pelvic and breast exams

How often

Medicare covers these screening tests once every 24 months in most cases. If you’re at high risk for cervical or vaginal cancer, or if you’re of child-bearing age and had an abnormal Pap test in the past 36 months, Medicare covers these screening tests once every 12 months.

Part B also covers Human Papillomavirus (HPV) tests (as part of a Pap test) once every 5 years if you’re between 30-65 and don't have HPV symptoms.