Key takeaways

  • Medicare Part B covers gynecologists for necessary medical appointments and preventive care, as long as they accept the assignment.
  • Medicare covers preventive screenings, including Pap smears every 24 months (or 12 months for high risk patients), breast exams, and annual STI screenings like HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and hepatitis B.
  • Under Medicare Part B in 2025, you pay a monthly premium of at least $185 and a deductible of $257. After meeting the deductible, Medicare pays 80% of covered medical services costs when using doctors who accept Medicare.

A gynecologist specializes in the health of the female reproductive system, which means they conduct routine screenings and treatments for females assigned at birth (FAABs). They also:

  • care for pregnant people
  • deliver babies
  • prescribe contraception
  • screen for sexually transmitted illnesses, conditions like urinary tract infections (UTIs), or reproductive system cancers
  • help manage menopause

Read on to learn which gynecological services Medicare covers.

Generally speaking, Medicare covers doctors’ visits under Original Medicare’s Part B. This coverage includes medically necessary appointments if you’re at risk of a gynecological condition or showing symptoms requiring diagnosis.

Some other conditions that gynecologists might diagnose and treat during these visits include:

Part B can also pay for an urgent care appointment if you need to contact a gynecologist urgently for acute symptoms of a condition like a UTI.

You can get the same coverage under Original Medicare if you have Medicare Advantage.

Generally, Part B covers medically necessary services to diagnose or treat a medical condition. Specifically, Medicare does cover gynecological preventive screenings under certain conditions:

  • Pap smear and pelvic exam: In many cases, Medicare covers these screening tests every 24 months or every 12 months if you’re at high risk of cervical or vaginal cancer or if you’ve had an atypical Pap test within the last 36 months. A Pap smear usually also includes a screening for the human papillomavirus.
  • Breast exam: Medicare covers a breast examination to check for breast cancer
  • STI screening: Medicare covers HIV screenings every 12 months if you’re between 15 and 65 years old or at an increased risk of the virus, regardless of age. It also covers annual screenings for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and hepatitis B.

Under Part B, your cost includes the monthly premium, which will be $185 in 2025. Once you meet your deductible of $257, Medicare pays 20% of the cost of your medical services. You just need to make sure that you contact a doctor that accepts Medicare.

Under Medicare Advantage, your cost can depend on your specific plan and where you live. You can compare the available plans in your area on Medicare.gov.

At what age does Medicare stop paying for Pap smears?

Medicare covers Pap smears every 2 years for all beneficiaries, regardless of age.

How often should a woman above 65 years old have a pelvic exam?

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, FAABs of any age should only undergo pelvic exams if they’re experiencing symptoms or have a medical history that indicates it’s necessary.

Should a 70-year-old woman go to a gynecologist?

You can continue to have appointments with a gynecologist for as long as you wish, but routine visits may not be necessary. Your primary care professional can also advise you on whether contacting a specialist like a gynecologist is necessary.

Medicare covers gynecologists’ appointments for treatment or screening under Original Medicare’s Part B or under a Medicare Advantage plan.

Evaluation and treatment appointments typically need to be medically necessary based on certain risk factors or symptoms that you’re experiencing. Medicare also covers various screenings that a gynecologist can perform.