Take advantage of the power of prevention by staying current with the recommended screenings and tests appropriate to your age, gender, medical history, current health, and family history. We’ve compiled the following guidelines to help you keep track of what’s needed and when.
For women ages 20 to 49
Immunizations |
|
| COVID-19 | Recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older29 |
| Flu, annual | Recommended2 |
| Hepatitis A | For individuals with risk factors; for individuals seeking protection3 |
| Hepatitis B | Recommended 2, 3, or 4 dose series depending on vaccine or condition for ages 19 to 594 |
| HPV (human papillomavirus) | Recommended for all adults through 26 years of age. 2 or 3-dose series depending on age at initial vaccination |
| Meningococcal | For individuals with risk factors present8 |
| MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) | Once, without proof of immunity or if no previous second dose5 |
| Pneumococcal (pneumonia) | For individuals with risk factors7 |
| Td booster (tetanus, diphtheria) | Recommended once every 10 years15 |
| Varicella (chicken pox) | Recommended for adults without evidence of immunity; 2-dose series 4-8 weeks apart10 |
Screenings/counseling/services |
|
| Alcohol misuse | Screening for unhealthy alcohol use and behavioral counseling as needed for individuals 12 years and older |
| Blood pressure, height, weight, BMI, vision, and hearing | At well visit, annually. This includes coordination of preventative services. |
| BRCA risk assessment and genetic counseling/testing | Women with a positive result on the risk assessment tool or who have a family history of breast, ovarian, tubal, or peritoneal cancer are recommended to receive genetic counseling and/or genetic testing.20 |
| Breast cancer | Recommended biennial screening mammography for women aged 40 years and older |
| Breast cancer medication use | Recommended prescription or risk-reducing medications to women age 35 and older who are at increased risk for breast cancer and at low risk for adverse medication effects |
| Cardiovascular disease | Statin use for primary prevention for adults aged 40 to 75 years who have one or more risk factors35 |
| Cervical cancer | Recommended screening every 3 years with cervical cytology by Pap tests for individuals women 21 to 29 years of age. For women ages 30-65 years, recommended screening every 3 years with cervical cytology alone, every 5 years with high-risk HPV testing alone, or every 5 years with high risk HPV testing in combination with cytology. |
| Chlamydia and gonorrhea | Screening for all sexually active women 24 years or younger and in women 25 years or older who are at increased risk for infection11 |
| Colorectal cancer | Screening for adults ages 45-759 |
| Contraception | FDA-approved female contraceptive methods, education and counseling32 |
| Depression/anxiety | Screening for depression and anxiety in all adults |
| Diabetes/prediabetes | Screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in adults ages 35 to 70 years who are overweight or obese22 |
| Domestic violence and abuse | Screening for intimate partner violence (IPV) in women of reproductive age and providing or referring women to ongoing support services34 |
| Drug misuse | Screening for unhealthy drug use for individuals 12 years and older25 |
| Healthy diet and physical activity | Behavioral counseling interventions to promote a healthy diet and physical activity for individuals 18 years an older with risk of cardiovascular disease or a diagnosis of hypertension, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, etc.27 |
| Hepatitis C | Screening for HCV infection in persons at high risk of infection30 |
| HIV | Screening for HIV infection for all adolescents and adults ages 15 to 65. Younger adolescents and older adults who are at increased risk of infection should also be screened. Recommend preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to persons at high risk of HIV acquisition.16 |
| Hypertension | Screening for hypertension in adults 18 years and older with office blood pressure measurement (OBPM). Blood pressure monitoring outside the clinical setting is recommended to confirm diagnosis. |
| Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) | Screening for individuals at increased risk of infection33 |
| Obesity | Screening, counseling, and behavioral interventions and offer or refer to comprehensive intensive behavioral intervention to promote improvements in weight status |
| Osteoporosis | Screening for women at increased risk13 |
| Sexually transmitted infections | Behavioral counseling as needed26 |
| Skin cancer | Behavioral counseling for minimizing exposure to ultraviolet radiation for young adults to age 24 at high risk |
| Syphilis | Screening for pregnant women and individuals at increased risk for infection12 |
| Tobacco use and cessation | Screening all adults about tobacco use, advise them to stop using tobacco, provide behavioral interventions, FDA approved pharmacotherapy for cessation to nonpregnant adults who use tobacco. |
If you are pregnant, please refer to For pregnant women for pregnancy-related recommendations.
Topics you may want to discuss with your doctor:
Exercise
- Regular physical activity (at least 30 minutes per day) can reduce the risks of coronary heart disease, osteoporosis, obesity and diabetes.
- Over 40: Consult physician before starting new vigorous physical activity.
Nutrition
- Know your body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and cholesterol level. Modify your diet accordingly.
- Eat a healthy diet. Limit fat and calories. Eat fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains every day.
- Optimal calcium intake for women between ages 25 and 50 is estimated to be 1,000 mg/day.
- Vitamin D is important for bone and muscle development, function, and preservation.
Sexual health
- Sexually transmitted infection (STI)/HIV prevention,16 practice safer sex (use condoms) or abstinence.
- Avoid unintended pregnancy; use contraception.
- Prior to beginning PrEP, the following tests are recommended: HIV testing, serologic testing for hepatitis viruses B and C, periodic serum creatinine testing, periodic pregnancy testing, and periodic screening for sexually transmitted bacterial infections
- Ongoing follow-up counseling and monitoring every 3 months is covered without cost-sharing.
Mental health and substance use disorder
- Stop smoking. Limit alcohol consumption. Avoid alcohol or drug use while driving.
- Mental health and substance use disorders is defined as those conditions listed in the most recent edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification of Diseases or in the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Dental health
- Floss and brush with fluoride toothpaste daily. Seek dental care regularly.
For pregnant women
Once during each pregnancy
Screenings/counseling/services |
|
| Alcohol misuse | Screening for unhealthy alcohol use and behavioral counseling as needed |
| Anxiety | Screening during pregnancy or postpartum |
| Aspirin | Low-dose aspirin (81 mg/day) as preventive medication after 12 weeks of gestation in persons who are at high risk for preeclampsia14 |
| Asymptomatic bacteriuria | Recommended screening using urine culture in pregnant women |
| Breast feeding primary care interventions | Counseling, education, and breastfeeding equipment and supplies to ensure the successful initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding |
| Chlamydia and gonorrhea | Screening for all sexually active women 24 years or younger and in women 25 years or older who are at increased risk for infection11 |
| Depression | Refer pregnant and postpartum persons who are at increased risk of depression to counseling interventions |
| Drug misuse | Screening for unhealthy drug use for individuals 12 years and older25 |
| Flu, annual | Recommended2 |
| Folic acid | Discuss use of 0.4 to 0.8 mg daily |
| Gestational diabetes | Recommended screening for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in asymptomatic pregnant women after 24 weeks of gestation |
| Healthy weight gain | Recommended behavioral counseling and interventions to promote healthy weight gain and prevent excess gestational weight gain |
| Hepatitis A | For individuals with risk factors; for individuals seeking protection3 |
| Hepatitis B | First prenatal visit29 |
| HIV | Screening for HIV infection in all pregnant persons, including those who are present in labor or at delivery whose HIV status is unknown |
| Maternal mental health | Covered services for individuals who presents written documentation of being diagnosed with a maternal mental health condition. Completion of covered services may extend up to 12 months from date of diagnosis or from the end of the pregnancy, whichever occurs later. |
| Preeclampsia | Screening with blood pressure measurements |
| Rh (D) incompatibility | Recommend Rh(D) blood typing and antibody testing for all pregnant women during their first visit for pregnancy related care and repeated Rh(D) antibody testing for all unsensitized Rh(D)-negative women at 24 to 28 weeks’ gestation, unless the biological father is known to be Rh(D)-negative |
| Syphilis | Recommend early screening for infection in all pregnant women12 |
| Tdap | One dose of Tdap is recommended during each pregnancy, preferably in the early part of the gestational weeks 27-36 |
| Tobacco use and cessation | Screening all adults about tobacco use, advising them to stop using tobacco, providing behavioral interventions, FDA approved pharmacotherapy for cessation to nonpregnant adults who use tobacco |
| Urinary incontinence | Annual screening |
Having a baby? Be aware that while almost all women get the "baby blues" after childbirth, as many as 10% will get postpartum depression. For more information visit our website, blueshieldca.com, or see your healthcare provider.
Recommendations for a healthy pregnancy
Prenatal care
Begin within 14 days of confirming pregnancy.
Dietary supplements
Women of childbearing age should take 0.4 to 0.8 mg of folic acid daily to decrease the risk of fetal brain and spinal cord birth defects. The recommended calcium intake for pregnant or nursing women is 1,000 milligrams daily.
Screenings and diagnostics
Blood pressure and weight check at all visits: urine test, obstetrical history and physical, screenings for asymptomatic bacteriuria, chlamydia, gestational diabetes, Group B streptococcal bacteria, hepatitis B, syphilis, gonorrhea, hematocrit, rubella, varicella, Rh (D) incompatibility; HIV counseling and screening, ultrasonography, screening for alpha fetoprotein, chorionic villus screening (CVS) or amniocentesis (for women age 35 and older), blood tests for certain birth defects, fundal height, fetal heart tones.
Discussion topics of prenatal care visits
Prior vaccinations (including flu shots), history of genital herpes, nutrition, smoking cessation, other medication and drug use, preterm labor risk, domestic abuse, mental health as an initial intervention service after screening for interpersonal and domestic violence, and other medication and drug use.
Postpartum care
To be performed within three to seven weeks following delivery. Postpartum exam to include weight, blood pressure, breast and abdomen exam, or pelvic exam.
Download the complete preventive health guidelines
English (PDF, 276 KB)
Spanish (PDF, 232 KB)
Get Blue Shield contact information, technical support, and much more.
Wellvolution is a registered trademark of Blue Shield of California. Wellvolution and all associated digital and in-person health programs, services, and offerings are managed by Solera, Inc., a health company committed to changing lives by guiding people to better health in their communities. These are Blue Shield of California’s Preventive Health Guidelines, which are based on nationally recognized guidelines. Members must refer to their Evidence of Coverage or Certificate of Insurance or Policy for plan/policy coverage of preventive health benefits. Blue Shield of California complies with applicable state laws and federal civil rights laws, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, marital status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or disability. Blue Shield of California cumple con las leyes estatales y las leyes federales de derechos civiles vigentes, y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, país de origen, ascendencia, religión, sexo, estado civil, género, identidad de género, orientación sexual, edad ni discapacidad. Blue Shield of California 遵循適用的州法律和聯邦公民權利法律，並且不以種族、膚色、原國籍、血統、宗教、性別、婚姻狀況、性別認同、性取向、年齡或殘障為由而進行歧視。
