PAP Test Coverage

[RedRosa]

I recently learned that some insurance providers do not cover PAP tests on women over the age of 65. Why not? Do women over 65 not get cervical cancer? As a matter of fact they do and are more likely to die from it than younger women. Post menopausal women if they get a bad PAP test are advised to get another one in 6 months and be tested for the STD HPV 16&18 which are the main causes of cervical cancer. 1/5 of the cervical cancer rates (and a higher percentage of deaths) are women over 65. I am 68. I am way too old to have had the Guardisil Vaccine unlike younger women.

I'd really like to have that man-splained to me just how that works? I still pay taxes, I am still a human, I can still get sick and I am still more likely to die from it as a result of being older. Young people need to understand . We are old people not dead people. We know things they don't know and we are just as important as they are and just as deserving of good medical care.

[Orla]

Young people need to understand . We are old people not dead people. We know things they don't know and we are just as important as they are and just as deserving of good medical care.

Sadly it’s not young people making that call—more than likely it is old men. And likely the decision of some providers not to cover that exam is based (perhaps badly) on statistics that say women between the ages of x and x are less likely to develop cervical cancer than younger women. I would guess it’s related to the reason why the Gardasil vaccine is only covered up to the age of 45—statistics.

[RedRosa]

Sadly it’s not young people making that call—more than likely it is old men...

You are very likely correct, and my initial response was colored by the ageism I've experienced with insurance providers.

[Lilianna]

this sickens me

[satehen]

Apparently in the U.K. they stop at age 64. I didn’t know that.

[Silo]

Is it that in general there's no coverage for PAP smears for women over 65 for any plan your insurance company covers - or there's just no coverage in any of the plans available to you through your employer?

I assume it would be because 65 is when people become eligible for Medicare and Medicare covers PAP smears. Wouldn't surprise me in the least bit if an employer (or an insurance company) didn't want to pay for something Medicare would cover.

[delevigne-fan]

In New Zealand the Pap tests or smear tests are now not going to be the first port of call for women in the health system.

They are shifting to an HPV test that is considered less invasive and can be self-administered, Pap tests could still be available if the person wants them or it’s deemed necessary by the medical staff etc.

I had a smear test last year when due as we’ve only just shifted to the new system. I paid for my test at the GP.
They are not necessarily free everywhere unless you’re low income or possibly part of ethnic minority groups eg. Maori, Pacific Islander etc.

I could have sought out a free or low cost provider if need be.

Here’s the details on our national screening programme shifting to HPV tests.

https://www.timetoscreen.nz/cervical-sc ... -the-test/

Also free guardasil vaccinations are only provided for girls and women aged up to their late 20s. Im outside of that and would need to pay hundreds of dollars.

I’d check if this hpv test is being offered in your overseas countries too - as it’s apparently less invasive, unsure what Australia is doing - but we often follow what they do eventually given we’re smaller in land and population and thus taxpayers by huge numbers. (Disclaimer: I’m not a medical doctor or nurse, I’m just quoting what was in the NZ health system’s information. (Yes much of our system is govt funded/public / like the UK NHS.)

Very detailed information and tv news report on the new screening process:
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/lifestyl ... ancer.html

[delevigne-fan]

Option for self-testing is available in Australia- here’s the link from the Govt there. The reason it’s available is the pretty much the same as the New Zealand info:
https://www.health.gov.au/self-collecti ... ening-test