Staying healthy is easier when potential problems are caught early. That’s why Medicare Part B (medical insurance) covers a wide range of preventive and screening services—helping you stay on top of your health while keeping out-of-pocket costs low.
What Are Preventive Services?
Preventive services are medical services that help prevent illness or detect health issues early, when they’re often easier and less expensive to treat. These services include:
- Exams and screenings
- Vaccines and immunizations
- Lab tests
- Counseling and education
The goal is to focus on prevention rather than treatment after a condition has already developed.
What Medicare Part B Covers
Medicare Part B covers many preventive services, including:
Screenings and Tests
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
- Bone mass measurement for osteoporosis
- Cardiovascular disease screenings, including cholesterol testing
- Cancer screenings, such as:
- Breast cancer (mammograms)
- Cervical and vaginal cancer
- Colorectal cancer (multiple testing options)
- Lung cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Diabetes screenings
- Glaucoma screenings
- Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C screenings
- HIV screenings
- Sexually transmitted infection (STI) screenings and counseling
- Depression screenings
Vaccines (Shots)
- COVID-19 vaccines
- Flu shots
- Pneumococcal shots
- Hepatitis B shots
Visits and Counseling Services
- One-time “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit
- Annual “Wellness” visit
- Counseling for tobacco use and obesity
- Medical nutrition therapy
These services are designed to help you maintain good health and identify risks before they become serious problems.
What Do These Services Cost?
When preventive services are provided by a healthcare provider who accepts Medicare, you typically pay nothing out of pocket. That means:
- No copayments
- No coinsurance
- No Part B deductible
This makes preventive care one of the most valuable benefits available under Medicare.
How to Get the Most from Your Preventive Benefits
- Confirm that your doctor or provider accepts Medicare.
- Make sure your appointment is billed as a preventive service, not a routine physical (routine physicals are not covered under Original Medicare).
- Keep track of how often services are covered—some screenings are available annually, while others are covered every few years.
The Bottom Line
Medicare Part B offers a broad range of preventive and screening services designed to help you stay healthier longer. From cancer screenings to immunizations and wellness visits, these benefits are meant to detect health issues early and reduce long-term healthcare costs.
Taking advantage of Medicare’s preventive services can help you:
- Catch health concerns early
- Manage chronic conditions more effectively
- Make informed decisions about your healthcare
Preventive care isn’t just smart—it’s one of the best ways to make the most of your Medicare coverage.