Medicare preventive services are among the most valuable benefits in Original Medicare, yet many people never use them. These screenings, shots, and counseling sessions are meant to catch health problems early, when treatment tends to work best. Most of them cost nothing out of pocket. In most cases, you pay no Part B deductible and no coinsurance if your doctor accepts assignment.
Medicare.gov lists more than two dozen covered screenings and services. They cover cancer, heart disease, diabetes, depression, and more. Knowing which Medicare preventive services you qualify for, and how often, can save money. It can also catch problems before they turn serious.
How Medicare Preventive Services Work at No Cost
Medicare Part B covers most preventive care. The rule is simple. If your doctor or other provider accepts assignment, you typically pay nothing for the covered service. Accepting assignment means the provider agrees to take the Medicare-approved amount as full payment. As a result, you aren’t billed extra on top of it.
There are limits. Each service has a set frequency, such as once every 12 months or once every 24 months. If you get a test sooner than allowed, you may owe the full cost. Some services also require certain risk factors, an age range, or a doctor’s referral. For example, lung cancer screening is limited to people who meet specific smoking history rules.
Medicare Advantage plans must cover the same Medicare preventive services that Original Medicare covers. Plans from companies like UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna, Cigna, and Blue Cross must offer them at no cost when you use in-network providers. However, going out of network could lead to charges. Check your plan’s Evidence of Coverage to be sure.
One common surprise involves “screening” versus “diagnostic” care. A screening checks for problems when you have no symptoms. Once a doctor looks into a specific symptom or issue, the visit may become diagnostic. Diagnostic care usually falls under the normal Part B deductible and 20% coinsurance.
Key Covered Screenings, Shots, and Visits
Your first stop is the “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit. You can get it once, within the first 12 months after your Part B starts. It includes a review of your health history, a blood pressure check, a vision test, and your height, weight, and BMI. It is not a full physical exam, however. After your first 12 months, you qualify for a yearly Annual Wellness Visit. This visit builds a personalized prevention plan and includes a cognitive check.
Vaccines are a major part of preventive coverage. Part B covers the flu shot once per flu season. It also covers COVID-19 vaccines, pneumococcal shots, and hepatitis B shots for people at medium or high risk. The shingles vaccine works differently. Part D drug plans cover it, and since 2023 the Inflation Reduction Act requires recommended adult vaccines under Part D to have no cost-sharing.
The table below shows common Medicare preventive services and how often you can get them.
| Service | Who Qualifies | How Often |
|---|---|---|
| Screening mammogram | Women 40 and older (one baseline at 35–39) | Once every 12 months |
| Screening colonoscopy | Ages 45 and older | Every 120 months, or 24 months if high risk |
| Multi-target stool DNA test (e.g., Cologuard) | Ages 45–85, average risk, no symptoms | Once every 3 years |
| Lung cancer screening (low-dose CT) | Ages 50–77, 20 pack-year history, smoke now or quit within 15 years | Once every 12 months |
| Cardiovascular blood tests | All people with Medicare | Once every 5 years |
| Diabetes screening | People with certain risk factors | Up to 2 per year |
| Bone mass measurement | People with certain conditions or risks | Once every 24 months |
| Pap test and pelvic exam | All women with Medicare | Every 24 months, or 12 months if high risk |
| Prostate cancer screening (PSA blood test) | Men over 50 | Once every 12 months |
| Depression screening | All people with Medicare, in a primary care setting | Once every 12 months |
| Hepatitis C screening | People born 1945–1965 or at high risk | Once; yearly if high risk |
| HIV screening | Ages 15–65, or older if at higher risk | Once every 12 months |
Counseling services are included too. Medicare covers up to 8 tobacco cessation counseling sessions in a 12-month period. It also covers one alcohol misuse screening per year, plus up to 4 short counseling sessions. People with a BMI of 30 or higher can get intensive obesity counseling from a primary care provider. Other options include a yearly cardiovascular behavioral therapy visit and the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program for people with prediabetes.
Colon cancer screening has seen recent changes. Since 2023, a follow-up colonoscopy after a positive stool test counts as screening, not diagnostic. Medicare also added CT colonography for coverage in 2025. If a doctor removes a polyp during a screening colonoscopy, you may owe a coinsurance. That share is 10% for 2025 and 2026. It drops to 5% from 2027 through 2029, then reaches zero in 2030.
How to Make the Most of Your Free Preventive Care
Start by logging in to your Medicare.gov account. The site shows which preventive services you have used and when you can get your next one. As a result, you avoid getting a test too early and getting billed. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE for the same details.
Next, schedule your Annual Wellness Visit and say so clearly when you book it. Many offices handle a wellness visit and a physical exam as two different things. Original Medicare does not cover routine physical exams. If you bring up a new problem during the visit, your doctor may bill part of it as a regular office visit. Typically, that part is subject to the Part B deductible and coinsurance.
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Before any test, ask the provider two questions. First, do they accept Medicare assignment? Second, will the service be billed as screening or diagnostic? These steps help you avoid surprise bills. Additionally, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, confirm the provider is in network. Some plans, including those from Humana and UnitedHealthcare, also add extras like fitness programs or routine physicals.
Finally, review your bills and Medicare Summary Notices closely. If you are charged for a service that should be free, contact the provider’s billing office first. You can also file an appeal. Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free, unbiased counseling. SHIP volunteers can help you understand your Medicare preventive services and fix billing errors. Groups like AARP also publish helpful preventive care checklists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all Medicare preventive services completely free?
Most are free if your provider accepts assignment and you meet the frequency rules. However, a few services carry costs. For example, the digital rectal exam for prostate screening is subject to the Part B deductible and 20% coinsurance. Polyp removal during a colonoscopy may also cost 10% in 2026.
Is the Annual Wellness Visit the same as a yearly physical?
No. The Annual Wellness Visit focuses on planning and prevention, such as health risk reviews and screening schedules. Original Medicare does not cover a routine head-to-toe physical. Some Medicare Advantage plans do cover one as an extra benefit, though.
Do Medicare Advantage plans cover the same preventive care?
Yes. Medicare Advantage plans must cover all Medicare preventive services that Original Medicare covers. In most cases, these are free when you see in-network providers. Out-of-network care may cost more, so check your plan’s rules first.
How do I know when I’m due for my next screening?
Log in to your Medicare.gov account to see your preventive service history and eligibility dates. You can also ask your primary care doctor during your Annual Wellness Visit. Your local SHIP program can help if you have questions about timing or coverage.
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Official Sources & Resources
For verified information on Medicare regulations and consumer protection:
- Medicare.gov (Official Site): medicare.gov
- CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services): cms.gov
- NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners): naic.org
- KFF Medicare Research: kff.org/medicare
- Social Security Administration: ssa.gov
Content last reviewed October 2026. If you notice any outdated information, please contact us.