Kensington, MD · Serving DC, Bethesda, Silver Spring & Rockville · Telehealth in 12+ states
Pap Smears & Well-Person Care
A Pap smear takes a couple of minutes. Getting one with a provider who doesn't rush you, explains your results, and offers real comfort options if you're anxious — that's the part most people are actually looking for.
Routine preventive visits are usually $0 with insurance. Book online or call.
What a Pap Smear Actually Is
A Pap smear (or Pap test) collects a small sample of cells from the cervix to screen for changes that can, over time, lead to cervical cancer. It's often paired with an HPV test, since HPV is the cause of nearly all cervical cancer. Catching changes early is the entire point — it's one of the most effective cancer screenings in medicine.
The test itself is quick. You'll be positioned for the exam, we'll use a speculum to see the cervix, and a soft brush collects the sample. It can feel like pressure or a brief pinch, but it shouldn't be painful — and if past exams have been hard for you, tell us, because there's a lot we can do about that.
A Pap is usually part of a broader well-person visit (sometimes called a well-woman exam), where we also check in on contraception, menopause, STI screening, and anything else on your mind — but you only get the Pap itself when you're actually due for one.
If Pelvic Exams Are Hard for You
A lot of people put off Pap smears for years — not because they don't care, but because the exam itself feels unbearable. Past trauma, vaginismus, a painful prior experience, or plain anxiety are all real reasons, and "just relax" is not a plan.
We offer nitrous oxide and other comfort measures so you can get screened without dreading it. We go at your pace, narrate what's happening, use the smallest appropriate speculum, and stop if you need to stop. For many patients this is the difference between avoiding screening entirely and staying up to date.
Learn about sedation & comfort options →What It Costs
Routine, age-appropriate Pap smears and well-woman exams are preventive care, which the ACA requires most insurance plans to cover with no out-of-pocket cost. We accept CareFirst, Anthem, BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, and UHC.
If something beyond routine screening gets added — extra lab tests, evaluation of a specific symptom — that portion may be billed separately. We'll flag anything non-routine before we do it, so you're never surprised. (If a bill later shows up from the lab directly, that's usually a quick fix.)
Common Questions
How often do I need a Pap smear?
For most people with a cervix, every 3 years from age 21–29, and every 5 years from 30–65 when combined with HPV co-testing — assuming normal results. If you've had an abnormal Pap, certain risk factors, or a weakened immune system, you may need them more often. We'll set a schedule that fits your history rather than a one-size-fits-all rule.
Can I be sedated for a Pap smear if I'm anxious?
Yes. If pelvic exams cause you anxiety — because of past trauma, vaginismus, a difficult prior experience, or simply because they're uncomfortable — we offer nitrous oxide and other comfort measures so the visit is manageable. You're not being dramatic, and you don't have to white-knuckle through it. See our sedation gynecology page for details.
Is a Pap smear covered by insurance?
Routine, age-appropriate Pap smears and well-woman exams are preventive care, which the ACA requires most plans to cover with no out-of-pocket cost. We accept CareFirst, Anthem, BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, and UHC. If the lab adds tests beyond the routine screening, those can be billed separately — we'll talk through anything that isn't standard before doing it.
Do I still need Pap smears after a hysterectomy?
It depends. If your cervix was removed for a non-cancer reason, you usually don't need routine Pap smears. If you still have your cervix, or the hysterectomy was for cervical or uterine cancer or precancer, ongoing screening is still recommended. We'll review your surgical history and the pathology to give you a clear answer.
What's the difference between a Pap smear and a well-person visit?
A Pap smear is one specific test — collecting cells from the cervix to screen for changes that can lead to cervical cancer. A well-person visit — also called a well-woman exam or annual wellness visit — is the broader annual appointment that may include a Pap when it's due, plus a check-in on contraception, menopause, STI screening, breast health, and anything else going on. You don't get a Pap at every annual visit — only when you're due.
What if my Pap comes back abnormal?
An abnormal result is common and usually not cancer — it often just means cells need a closer look. Depending on the finding, the next step may be repeat testing, HPV typing, or a colposcopy. We do colposcopies and can walk you through exactly what your result means rather than leaving you to worry over a portal message.
Due for a Pap? Let's Make It Easy.
Book online — most new patients can be seen within a week. In office in Kensington or via telehealth for the visit portions that don't need an exam.
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