Preventive health screening is recommended to help monitor for signs of disease and detect it in the earliest stages.  These screenings can often be done at the time of your annual physical or may need to be ordered by the doctor and then scheduled at a different time and location.  Some of the important adult screenings include:

• Mammogram – for women age 40 – have a yearly preventive appointment with your physician, which includes a clinical breast exam.  Talk with your doctor about the need for mammography screening every 1-2 years. 

  Click here for more information on the benefits of having a mammogram.

  Click here for information on the contracted locations that offer the service.  Please call the location and ask if your insurance plan type is accepted and if a Doctors order is required.

• Pap Test – women age 21 and older (or sooner if sexually active) should have a yearly cervical cancer screening.  Beginning at age 30, your physician may suggest less frequent screening if you have had three normal test results in a row.
• Chlamydia Test – women should be tested yearly (usually at time of Pap) after becoming sexually active if at risk.
• Colon Cancer Test – men and women at average risk for colon cancer should begin screening at age 50.  There are a number of different screening tests that can be ordered so talk with your doctor about which test is best for you.

Check with your doctor about recommended screening for you as well as other important tests you may need.  Based on your medical or family history, screening may begin earlier or be required more often.

You can also review a complete list of the Massachusetts Health Quality Partners (MHQP) Adult Preventive Care Recommendations at http://www.mhqp.org/guidelines/adultPreventive/adultGuidelines.asp?nav=040908 and the Pediatric Preventive Care Recommendations at http://www.mhqp.org/guidelines/pedPreventive/pedGuidelines.asp?nav=041114.

MQHP brings together many organizations and health plans in Massachusetts to develop a set of guidelines, which are endorsed by CeltiCare Health Plan of Massachusetts.

You can click here to learn more about the guidelines.

2011 Adult and Pediatric Immunization Schedule

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) endorses the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention Childhood and Adult Immunization Guidelines for 2011.

Click here to access the 2011 Adult Immunization recommendations.

Click here to access the 2011 Childhood Immunization recommendations.