Medicare Preventive Services: Free Screenings and Wellness Visits

Medicare covers a wide range of preventive services at no cost to you—no deductible, no copay, no coinsurance. Taking advantage of these benefits helps catch health issues early and maintain wellness.

The Annual Wellness Visit

What It Is

A yearly visit with your doctor to develop or update a personalized prevention plan. This is different from a physical exam—it's focused on prevention and health planning.

What's Included

• Health risk assessment
• Review of your medical and family history
• List of current providers and prescriptions
• Height, weight, blood pressure, and cognitive assessment
• Personalized screening schedule
• Advance care planning discussion
• Referrals for other preventive services

Cost

$0 when performed by a provider who accepts Medicare assignment.

Important Note

The Annual Wellness Visit is separate from a regular physical exam. If your visit goes beyond preventive services into diagnosing or treating conditions, you may be charged for those additional services.

Free Screenings

Cardiovascular Screenings

• Cholesterol, lipid, and triglyceride levels
• Covered once every 5 years
• $0 cost

Diabetes Screenings

• Fasting glucose or HbA1c tests
• Up to 2 per year if at risk
• $0 cost

Cancer Screenings

Breast Cancer:

• Mammograms annually for women 40+
• $0 cost

Cervical Cancer:

• Pap test and pelvic exam every 2 years (yearly for high-risk)
• $0 cost

Colorectal Cancer:

• Colonoscopy every 10 years
• Fecal occult blood test annually
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 4 years
• $0 cost for the screening (facility fees may apply)

Prostate Cancer:

• PSA test and digital rectal exam annually for men 50+
• $0 cost

Lung Cancer:

• Low-dose CT scan annually for qualifying individuals
• $0 cost

Other Screenings

• Bone density (osteoporosis) every 2 years
• Glaucoma tests for high-risk individuals annually
• Hepatitis B and C screening
• HIV screening annually
• Depression screening
• Alcohol misuse screening

Vaccinations

Medicare covers these vaccines at no cost:

Flu Shot

• Covered annually
• Multiple providers: doctors, pharmacies, clinics

Pneumococcal Vaccine

• One or two doses depending on type
• Protects against pneumonia

COVID-19 Vaccine

• All recommended doses and boosters
• Available at pharmacies, doctor offices, health clinics

Hepatitis B Vaccine

• For those at medium or high risk

RSV Vaccine

• For adults 60+
• One dose

Additional Preventive Services

Welcome to Medicare Visit

A one-time visit within the first 12 months of Part B coverage:

• Comprehensive health assessment
• Education about preventive services
• Referrals as needed
• $0 cost

Tobacco Cessation Counseling

• Up to 8 visits per year
• For those who use tobacco
• $0 cost

Obesity Screening and Counseling

• Screening and up to 22 visits for behavioral counseling
• For those with BMI of 30+
• $0 cost

Medical Nutrition Therapy

• For those with diabetes or kidney disease
• Nutrition counseling by registered dietitian
• $0 cost

Getting the Most from Preventive Care

Schedule Your Annual Wellness Visit

This visit coordinates all your preventive care needs. Your doctor will create a screening schedule specific to your health.

Know What's Free

Understand which services are covered at $0. If a visit goes beyond preventive care, additional charges may apply.

Track Your Screenings

Keep track of when screenings are due. Some are annual, others every few years.

Ask About Preventive Services

If your doctor doesn't mention a preventive service, ask. You're entitled to these benefits.

The Bottom Line

Medicare's preventive services help you stay healthy and catch problems early. The Annual Wellness Visit is your gateway to coordinated preventive care. Taking advantage of these $0-cost benefits is one of the smartest things Medicare beneficiaries can do.

Questions about your Medicare preventive benefits? Our advisors can help you understand what's covered.