Preventive screenings for older adults
After 65, some screenings continue for life, one starts (bone density for women), and most others stop at a set age between 65 and 80. Below is each one, ordered by when it stops, from the USPSTF grade A and B list. (USPSTF, A and B list)
No upper age limit
- Blood pressure (All adults): The USPSTF sets no upper age limit. The grade A applies to all adults 18 or older. (USPSTF, 2021)
- Osteoporosis (Women): The USPSTF sets no upper age limit for women 65 or older. (USPSTF, 2025)
- Depression (All adults): The USPSTF sets no upper age limit. The grade B includes older adults. (USPSTF, 2023)
- Unhealthy alcohol use (All adults): The USPSTF sets no upper age limit. (USPSTF, 2018)
- Unhealthy drug use (All adults): The USPSTF sets no upper age limit. (USPSTF, 2020)
- BRCA risk assessment (Women, if you or your family have had breast, ovarian, tubal or peritoneal cancer): It is a one-time assessment, with counseling and testing only if it is positive. (USPSTF, 2019)
- Syphilis (All adults, if you are at increased risk (for example HIV or another STI, men who have sex with men, drug use, or past incarceration)): No upper age limit while the risk continues. (USPSTF, 2022)
- Hepatitis B (All adults, if you are at increased risk (for example born where hepatitis B is common, HIV, injection drug use, or a household or sex partner with hepatitis B)): No upper age limit; repeat while the risk continues. (USPSTF, 2020)
- Latent tuberculosis (All adults, if you are at increased risk (born in or lived in a country where TB is common, or lived in a shelter or correctional facility)): No upper age limit. (USPSTF, 2023)
When each screening stops
| Screening | Who | Range ends at | After that |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cervical cancer | Women | 65 | After 65, for women who had adequate prior screening and are not at high risk (grade D: do not screen). Also not needed after a hysterectomy with removal of the cervix, with no history of a high-grade precancerous lesion or cervical cancer. (USPSTF, 2018) |
| HIV | All adults | 65 | The grade A range ends at 65. Older people at increased risk should still be screened. (USPSTF, 2019) |
| Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes | All adults, if you have overweight or obesity | 70 | The grade B range ends at 70. (USPSTF, 2021) |
| Breast cancer | Women | 74 | The grade B range ends at 74. For women 75 or older the USPSTF says the evidence is not enough to decide (grade I). (USPSTF, 2024) |
| Colorectal cancer | All adults | 75 | The grade A range ends at 75. From 76 to 85 the USPSTF advises screening selectively, based on overall health, past screening and preferences (grade C). (USPSTF, 2021) |
| Abdominal aortic aneurysm | Men, if you have ever smoked | 75 | It is a one-time test, and the grade B range ends at 75. (USPSTF, 2019) |
| Hepatitis C | All adults | 79 | The grade B range ends at 79. Most adults need it only once. (USPSTF, 2020) |
| Lung cancer | All adults, if you have a 20 pack-year history and smoke now or quit within 15 years | 80 | At 80, or once a person has not smoked for 15 years, or if a health problem substantially limits life expectancy or the ability or willingness to have lung surgery. (USPSTF, 2021) |
"Range ends" means the grade A or B recommendation stops there. It does not always mean "stop": several pages say a decision after that age depends on your health, past results and preferences. Your doctor can tell you which applies to you. The cancer screenings, with what "adequate prior screening" means and where other groups differ: when can you stop screening.
Already ended before 65: anxiety (to 64), chlamydia and gonorrhea (to 24). (USPSTF)
Three things not to start late
- PSA tests for prostate cancer: the USPSTF "recommends against PSA-based screening for prostate cancer in men 70 years and older" (grade D). (USPSTF, 2018) More: prostate cancer screening by age.
- Starting a statin at 76 or older: the evidence is "insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms" (I statement). (USPSTF, 2022) Cholesterol testing itself is covered on cholesterol test by age; who should start one: statins by age.
- Daily aspirin at 60 or older: the USPSTF recommends against starting low-dose aspirin to prevent a first heart attack or stroke at 60 or older (grade D). If you already take it, do not stop without your doctor. (USPSTF, 2022) More: daily aspirin by age.
Falls
- For adults 65 and older at higher risk of falling, the USPSTF recommends exercise to prevent falls (grade B). (USPSTF, 2024) More: falls prevention for adults 65 and older. How fall risk is checked: fall risk screening questions and tests.
Hearing and vision
- For adults without symptoms, the USPSTF found the evidence insufficient on routine hearing screening from 50 and vision screening from 65 (I statements). (USPSTF, 2021) (USPSTF, 2022) If you notice a change, tell your doctor. Eye doctors' advice and Medicare coverage: hearing and vision checks for older adults.
Memory and thinking
- For adults 65 and older without signs or symptoms, the USPSTF found the evidence insufficient on screening for cognitive impairment (I statement). (USPSTF, 2020) If you or your family notice a change in memory, tell your doctor. What the tests involve and how scores are read: memory screening with the Mini-Cog and MoCA.
Women after 65
- Bone density testing for osteoporosis starts at 65 and has no upper age limit. (USPSTF)
- Mammograms every 2 years continue to 74. (USPSTF, 2024)
- Cervical screening stops after 65 for women who had adequate prior screening and are not at high risk. (USPSTF, 2018)
Full list: screenings for women over 65.
Men after 65
- A one-time ultrasound for abdominal aortic aneurysm, for men 65 to 75 who have ever smoked (100 or more cigarettes). (USPSTF, 2019)
- No PSA screening from 70 (grade D, above).
Full list: screenings for men over 65.
The Medicare visits that keep track for you
- "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit: once, within the first 12 months you have Part B. It covers a review of your medical and social history, BMI, "a simple vision test," a depression risk review, and "a written plan (like a checklist) letting you know what screenings, vaccines, and other preventive services you need." Medicare notes it "isn't a comprehensive physical exam." You pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (Medicare.gov)
- Yearly Wellness visit: after that, a yearly visit with routine measurements and an updated written plan. (Medicare.gov) How it differs from a physical, and why a bill can follow: Medicare wellness visit vs. physical.
Which screenings Medicare pays for, item by item: the Medicare preventive screenings list, and preventive screenings covered by insurance and Medicare.
Questions people ask
What screenings do you need after 65?
Every adult: blood pressure, depression and unhealthy alcohol use have no upper age limit. Colorectal cancer screening continues to 75 and hepatitis C (once) to 79. Women: bone density testing from 65 and mammograms to 74. Men 65 to 75 who have ever smoked: a one-time aorta ultrasound. Lung cancer screening to 80 for people with a heavy smoking history.
At what age do you stop screening tests?
There is no single age. The USPSTF grade A or B ranges end at 65 (cervical, if past screening was adequate, and HIV), 70 (diabetes), 74 (mammograms), 75 (colorectal and the aorta ultrasound), 79 (hepatitis C) and 80 (lung). Some, such as blood pressure and bone density, have no upper limit.
Does Medicare pay for a yearly physical?
Medicare covers a one-time "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit in the first 12 months of Part B, then a yearly Wellness visit. Medicare says the Welcome visit "isn't a comprehensive physical exam." Both end with a written checklist of the screenings and vaccines you need.