Medicare Preventive Services: Screenings, Tests & Costs

Finding a health problem early can give you and your doctor more time to discuss treatment and next steps. That is why preventive care matters, especially as you get older. But knowing which tests, screenings, and vaccines Medicare covers is not always straightforward.

Medicare preventive services include a range of screenings, vaccinations, counseling sessions, and preventive visits designed to help identify health risks and detect certain conditions before symptoms become more serious.

Medicare Part B covers many of these services for eligible beneficiaries. Some are available at no cost when you meet the coverage requirements and receive care from a provider who accepts Medicare assignment. Others may involve a deductible, coinsurance, or specific eligibility rules.

Understanding what is included can help you prepare for appointments, ask better questions, and make use of the preventive benefits available through your coverage.

AI Overview: What Preventive Care Does Medicare Cover?

Medicare covers many preventive services through Part B, including the Welcome to Medicare preventive visit, Annual Wellness Visit, eligible cancer screenings, cardiovascular screenings, diabetes screening, bone mass measurements, depression screening, and certain vaccines.

Part B also covers specific counseling services and preventive programs for eligible beneficiaries. Medicare Part D generally covers recommended adult vaccines that are not covered under Part B, including shingles and RSV vaccines, subject to applicable coverage rules.

Many preventive services have no out-of-pocket cost when Medicare's requirements are met. However, eligibility, screening frequency, provider participation, and whether a service is billed as preventive or diagnostic can affect your expenses.

TL;DR: Medicare Preventive Care at a Glance

Coverage frequency and eligibility vary by service. Not every screening is appropriate for every person.

1. Medicare Wellness Visits

Medicare offers two preventive visits that help beneficiaries review their health and plan future care. Neither is a comprehensive physical examination.

Welcome to Medicare Preventive Visit

The Welcome to Medicare visit is a one-time preventive appointment available during the first 12 months you have Medicare Part B.

During the visit, your healthcare provider may review your medical and family history, current medications, health risks, and preventive care needs. The appointment can also include measurements and discussions about screenings, vaccines, and steps to maintain your health.

You generally pay nothing for this covered visit when your provider accepts Medicare assignment.

Medicare Annual Wellness Visit

The Annual Wellness Visit is generally available once every 12 months after the applicable waiting period.

It focuses on reviewing health risks and creating or updating a preventive care plan. The visit can include a Health Risk Assessment, medication and provider information, cognitive impairment screening, and a recommended schedule for preventive services.

It is not a head-to-toe physical exam. If your provider evaluates a separate medical concern during the same appointment, that service may be billed separately.

Read the Clarity65 guide to the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit for a detailed explanation of what to expect and how to prepare.

2. Cancer Screenings Covered by Medicare

Medicare Part B covers several cancer screenings for eligible beneficiaries. The specific requirements depend on the type of cancer, your age, your health history, and the screening being performed.

These services do not all follow the same schedule. Some screenings are covered annually, while others are available at longer intervals or depend on risk factors.

Why Screening Eligibility Matters

A screening test is intended to look for a condition before symptoms appear. If you already have symptoms or your doctor is investigating a known problem, the test may be considered diagnostic rather than preventive.

That distinction can affect billing and your share of the cost.

For example, a screening colonoscopy may be covered differently from a colonoscopy performed to investigate symptoms. If a polyp is found and removed during a screening procedure, special Medicare cost-sharing rules may apply.

Before scheduling a test, ask your provider whether it will be billed as a screening or diagnostic service and whether any additional charges could apply.

3. Diabetes Screening and Prevention

Medicare Part B covers diabetes screening for eligible beneficiaries who meet the program's requirements.

Screening may be appropriate for people with certain risk factors, such as high blood pressure, obesity, or a history of abnormal blood glucose levels. Your healthcare provider can determine whether you qualify and which test is appropriate.

Eligible beneficiaries may also qualify for the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program, a structured program focused on lifestyle changes that can help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

For people who already have diabetes, Part B may cover diabetes self-management training and medical nutrition therapy when applicable requirements are met.

These are separate benefits, each with its own eligibility criteria.

If you have diabetes or are concerned about your risk, ask your provider which preventive services are appropriate for you. You can also read the Clarity65 guide to Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage to understand how prescription coverage may fit into your broader healthcare needs.

4. Heart Health and Cardiovascular Screenings

Cardiovascular conditions can develop without obvious symptoms. Medicare covers certain preventive services intended to help identify risk factors and support heart health.

Cardiovascular Disease Screening

Part B covers certain blood tests that measure cholesterol, lipid, and triglyceride levels. These tests are generally covered once every five years under the standard preventive benefit, although other testing may be covered under different circumstances.

Your provider can explain whether you need screening sooner based on your medical situation.

Cardiovascular Behavioral Therapy

Eligible beneficiaries can receive cardiovascular behavioral therapy once each year in an appropriate primary care setting.

The appointment may include a review of blood pressure, diet, exercise, and other factors associated with heart disease risk.

Your provider may recommend changes to your routine or discuss whether further evaluation is appropriate.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening

Medicare Part B covers a one-time abdominal aortic aneurysm screening ultrasound for eligible people who meet the requirements, including certain individuals with a family history or qualifying smoking history.

A referral from your healthcare provider is required.

Ask whether this screening is relevant to your medical and family history, particularly if you are within the age range used in Medicare's eligibility rules.

5. Bone Density Testing and Osteoporosis Prevention

Bone mass measurement can help identify osteoporosis or other conditions associated with an increased risk of fractures.

Medicare Part B covers bone density testing for eligible beneficiaries who meet specific medical criteria. These may include certain people with estrogen deficiency and increased osteoporosis risk, individuals with suspected bone loss, people receiving particular steroid treatments, and those being monitored during osteoporosis drug therapy.

The standard coverage interval is generally once every 24 months, although Medicare may cover testing more often when medically necessary.

Your healthcare provider can determine whether you meet the requirements and how often testing is appropriate.

Remember that not everyone qualifies for a covered bone density test simply because of age. Medical history and other criteria matter.

6. Depression Screening and Mental Health Prevention

Mental health is an important part of preventive care.

Medicare Part B covers one depression screening each year when it is provided in an eligible primary care setting that can offer follow-up treatment and referrals.

You generally pay nothing for the covered screening when your provider accepts the assignment.

The screening can help identify possible symptoms of depression. It does not replace a full evaluation or treatment if concerns arise.

If the results suggest that further care may be useful, your provider may recommend another appointment, counseling, or a referral to a mental health professional.

If you have questions about counseling, psychiatric services, or medication coverage, read the Clarity65 guide to what Original Medicare covers.

7. Vaccines Covered by Medicare

Vaccines can help prevent serious illnesses, but the part of Medicare that covers a vaccine depends on which vaccine you receive and the circumstances.

Vaccines Covered Under Part B

Medicare Part B covers several preventive vaccines, including:

• Flu shots
• Pneumococcal vaccines
• Hepatitis B vaccines for eligible beneficiaries
• COVID-19 vaccines under applicable coverage rules

You generally pay nothing for covered Part B vaccines when you receive them from an eligible provider who meets Medicare's billing requirements.

Vaccines Covered Under Part D

Medicare Part D generally covers adult vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices that are not covered under Part B. These include vaccines for shingles, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap), among others.

Recommended vaccines covered under Part D are generally available without a deductible or copayment when applicable coverage rules are met.

However, where and how you receive a vaccine can affect how it is billed. Check with your plan or pharmacist before receiving it if you are unsure.

Ask your healthcare provider which vaccines are appropriate for your age, health conditions, and vaccination history.

8. Tobacco Cessation and Obesity Counseling

Medicare covers certain counseling services that help eligible beneficiaries address health risks.

Tobacco Cessation Counseling

Part B covers counseling to help eligible beneficiaries stop using tobacco. Coverage depends on the person's health circumstances and the applicable Medicare requirements.

Your provider can explain the covered counseling schedule and whether medication or other treatment may also be appropriate.

Obesity Behavioral Therapy

Medicare covers intensive behavioral therapy for obesity for eligible beneficiaries who meet the program's requirements, including the applicable body mass index criteria.

The service generally takes place in a primary care setting and focuses on helping the person work toward weight management through behavioral support.

The number and timing of covered sessions depend on factors such as attendance and progress under Medicare's rules.

If you are interested in either service, ask your healthcare provider about eligibility and the recommended next steps.

9. Hepatitis, HIV, and Other Infection Screenings

Medicare covers several screenings for infectious diseases when eligibility requirements are met.

These may include:

• Hepatitis B screening
• Hepatitis C screening
• HIV screening
• Certain sexually transmitted infection screenings
• Counseling to reduce sexually transmitted infection risk for eligible beneficiaries

Eligibility, screening frequency, and provider requirements vary by service.

For example, hepatitis C screening is available for eligible people who meet Medicare's age and risk criteria. HIV and sexually transmitted infection screenings follow their own rules.

Your provider can help determine which tests are appropriate based on your age, medical history, risk factors, and previous screening results.

A screening is not necessarily covered at every appointment or at any frequency you request. Confirm the rules if your provider recommends testing more often than usual.

10. Medical Nutrition Therapy and Other Preventive Support

Medicare's preventive benefits also include certain services that help people manage health risks through education and behavioral changes.

Medical nutrition therapy may be covered under Part B for eligible beneficiaries with diabetes or kidney disease. Services can include nutrition assessments and counseling from a qualified nutrition professional when the requirements are met.

Other covered preventive services may include alcohol misuse screening and counseling, counseling to prevent tobacco use, and certain behavioral counseling services for cardiovascular health.

These benefits are not automatically available to everyone. Your provider must determine whether you meet the applicable requirements.

If you have a chronic condition, ask which preventive or self-management services may be covered as part of your care plan.

11. Does Medicare Cover Preventive Care at No Cost?

Many preventive services covered by Original Medicare have no out-of-pocket cost when you meet the eligibility and coverage requirements and use a provider who accepts Medicare assignment.

However, not every service described as preventive is automatically free.

Your costs can depend on how the service is billed, whether the Part B deductible applies, and whether the appointment includes diagnostic treatment or additional services.

Original Medicare generally applies the Part B deductible and coinsurance to many non-preventive outpatient services. In 2026, the standard Part B deductible is $283. The deductible amount changes by year.

Before a test or procedure, ask the provider whether it is covered as preventive care and whether any separate services may result in charges.

12. How Medicare Advantage Covers Preventive Services

Medicare Advantage is another way to receive Medicare Part A and Part B benefits through a Medicare-approved private plan.

Medicare Advantage plans must cover Medicare-covered preventive services, subject to applicable Medicare rules. However, plan-specific procedures, provider networks, and costs can differ.

Some plans may also offer additional benefits beyond Original Medicare. The extra benefits available depend on the plan, location, and plan year.

If you have Medicare Advantage, check:

• Whether your primary care provider is in the plan's network
• Which facilities or laboratories you can use
• Whether referrals or prior authorization apply to a particular service
• Whether a recommended test is preventive or diagnostic
• Whether additional benefits are available and what limits apply

Do not assume every plan handles appointments or additional services in the same way.

For a broader explanation, visit the Clarity65 Medicare Advantage guide.

13. How to Prepare for Your Preventive Care Appointment

A little preparation can help you make better use of your appointment and avoid unnecessary confusion.

Before you visit your healthcare provider, consider these steps:

1. Review your medical history. Make a note of existing conditions, previous screenings, and relevant family history.
2. Bring your medication list. Include prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements.
3. Check your previous test dates. This can help your provider determine when you may be due for another screening.
4. Ask about eligibility. Some preventive services depend on age, health risks, medical history, or previous results.
5. Confirm potential costs. Ask whether the service is covered as preventive care and whether any separate charges could apply.
6. Discuss your concerns. Tell your provider about new symptoms, changes in health, or questions you have about prevention.
7. Keep a record of recommendations. Note any referrals, follow-up appointments, or future screening dates.

If you have not scheduled a wellness visit recently, ask your healthcare provider whether you are eligible for one.

14. A Simple Medicare Preventive Care Checklist

Use this checklist as a starting point for your next healthcare appointment:

• Ask whether you are due for a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit.
• Review recommended cancer screenings.
• Ask whether diabetes or cardiovascular screening is appropriate.
• Review your vaccination history.
• Discuss bone density testing if relevant to your health.
• Ask about depression screening and other mental health concerns.
• Discuss tobacco cessation or weight management support if needed.
• Review any recommended nutrition counseling or diabetes education.
• Confirm which services are covered and whether you may owe anything.
• Schedule any recommended follow-up appointments.

This checklist is not a substitute for medical advice. Your healthcare provider can determine which services are appropriate for your situation.

How Clarity65 Can Help You Understand Your Medicare Coverage

Preventive care is one part of your overall healthcare coverage. It is also important to understand how your plan handles doctor visits, prescription drugs, provider networks, and other medical services.

Clarity65 works with independent licensed agents who can explain available Medicare coverage options and help consumers review plan details. Clarity65 represents multiple Medicare carriers, offers annual plan reviews, and provides services free to consumers.

To learn how the different parts of Medicare work together, read Understanding Your Medicare Coverage Options.

If you are approaching age 65, the Clarity65 New to Medicare guide can help you understand the basic enrollment process.

Clarity65 does not offer every plan available in every area. Available options and benefits can vary by location and plan.

Final Thoughts

Medicare preventive services can help eligible beneficiaries identify health risks, receive recommended screenings, and plan for future healthcare needs.

Part B covers many preventive benefits, including wellness visits, certain cancer screenings, diabetes tests, cardiovascular screenings, depression screening, and specific vaccines. Part D generally covers recommended adult vaccines that are not covered under Part B.

The important detail is that each service has its own coverage rules. Your age, health history, previous tests, provider, and type of Medicare coverage can all affect eligibility and costs.

Talk with your healthcare provider about which preventive services are appropriate for you. Before receiving a test or treatment, confirm whether it is covered as preventive care and whether separate charges may apply.

Taking time to review these details can help you make informed decisions about your healthcare.

Frequently Asked Questions

This article is for general educational purposes and does not substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Coverage rules and preventive service schedules can vary based on individual medical history and provider billing practices. Always consult your healthcare provider regarding personal health questions and recommended screenings.

Raul Gonzalez

Licensed Agent

Independent licensed Medicare advisor dedicated to plain-English guidance and personalized plan comparisons across leading national carriers.

Clarity65 is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.