People who have statutory health insurance in Germany can have the following tests paid for by their insurance:
- Health check-up” (in German: “Gesundheits-Check-up”): This examination aims to detect cardiovascular problems, diabetes and kidney diseases early on. The examination includes measuring blood pressure and testing blood and urine. Everybody who is 35 years of age or older can have this health check-up every three years. People between the ages of 18 and 35 years are elligible to have it once.
- Skin cancer : In skin cancer screening, the doctor examines the entire body to look for changes in the skin. The aim is to detect skin cancer like malignant melanoma as early as possible. This examination is also offered every two years to people who are 35 years or older.
- Test for hidden blood in the stool: This test aims to help detect bowel cancer early. A stool sample is tested for blood that cannot be seen by the naked eye (occult blood). All people with statutory health insurance between the ages of 50 and 54 are entitled to have this test once a year.
- Endoscopy of the bowel: An endoscopy of the bowel is used for bowel cancer and prevention. From the age of 55, people can have a total of two endoscopies with at least ten years between the two tests. Alternatively, they can choose to have a test for hidden blood in the stool, as described above, every two years. If blood is found in stool and endoscopy of the bowel needs to be done, the health insurance fund will pay for it.