1. Annual Wellness Visits
Medicare Part B covers an annual wellness visit to develop or update a personalized prevention plan based on your current health and risk factors. This visit is free if your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider accepts the assignment.
2. Screenings
Medicare covers many screenings at no cost to you, provided you meet the eligibility criteria. These include screenings for:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Cervical and vaginal cancers
- Colorectal cancer
- Diabetes
- Hepatitis B and C
- HIV
- Lung cancer (for those at high risk)
- Mammograms (breast cancer screening)
- Prostate cancer (PSA test)
3. Vaccinations
Medicare Part B generally covers vaccines that prevent illness, such as the flu shot, pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccine, and Hepatitis B shots for persons at high or medium risk. The COVID-19 vaccine is also covered under Medicare.
4. Counseling Services
Counseling services are available for those who meet the criteria, including:
- Alcohol misuse counseling
- Smoking and tobacco use cessation counseling
- Nutritional counseling for people with diabetes or kidney disease
- Obesity screening and counseling for those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more
5. Other Preventive Services
Other covered services include bone mass measurements, depression screening, glaucoma tests, and more. Eligibility and frequency of coverage may depend on medical necessity and other factors.
Eligibility and Costs
To be eligible for these preventive services at no extra cost, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part B, and your healthcare provider must accept assignment. Note that while many services are covered at no cost, some screenings and tests may be covered only partially, and you may be responsible for deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments if additional tests or services are needed based on the results of a preventive screening.