Free Medicare Preventive Screenings: The Complete List for 2017

One of the most underutilized Medicare benefits is the extensive list of free preventive services. These screenings, tests, and counseling sessions are covered at 100% -- no deductible, no coinsurance -- when provided by a Medicare-participating provider.

Many Medicare beneficiaries don't know these services are free and either skip them or pay unnecessarily. Here's the complete list.

The Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) is a free yearly appointment to develop or update your personalized prevention plan. It is NOT a physical exam -- it's a health risk assessment and prevention planning session.

What's included:

• Review of your medical and family history
• List of current providers and medications
• Blood pressure, height, weight, and BMI measurements
• Cognitive assessment (screening for dementia)
• Depression screening
• Fall risk assessment
• Vision screening
• Personalized health advice and referrals

Important: The AWV is different from a "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit (available once in your first 12 months of Part B). Both are free.

Mammogram (breast cancer): Once every 12 months for women 40 and older. Baseline mammogram covered once between ages 35-39.

Pap smear and pelvic exam (cervical and vaginal cancer): Once every 24 months; once every 12 months for high-risk women.

Colorectal cancer screening:

• Fecal occult blood test: Once every 12 months
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy: Once every 48 months
• Colonoscopy: Once every 10 years (once every 24 months for high-risk individuals)
• CT colonography: Once every 5 years

Prostate cancer screening (PSA test): Once every 12 months for men 50 and older.

Lung cancer screening (low-dose CT): Once per year for adults 55-77 who are current or former heavy smokers (30 pack-year history, quit within 15 years) with a doctor's order.

Cardiovascular disease screening: Blood tests for cholesterol, lipids, and triglycerides once every 5 years.

Cardiovascular disease behavioral therapy: One visit per year for people at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening: One-time ultrasound for men who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime (referral from the Welcome to Medicare visit required).

EKG: One-time electrocardiogram as part of the Welcome to Medicare visit.

Diabetes screening: Up to 2 fasting glucose tests per year for people at risk for diabetes.

Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program: For people with prediabetes -- a structured lifestyle change program covered at 100%.

Diabetes self-management training: 10 hours initially, 2 hours per year thereafter.

Medical nutrition therapy: For people with diabetes or kidney disease -- 3 hours initially, 2 hours per year.

Bone density test (DEXA scan): Once every 24 months for women at risk for osteoporosis and others who qualify.

Depression screening: Once per year.

Alcohol misuse screening and counseling: Once per year; up to 4 brief counseling sessions if you screen positive.

Tobacco cessation counseling: Up to 8 sessions per year for people who use tobacco.

Opioid use disorder treatment: Covered under Medicare.

Flu shot: Once per flu season.

Pneumococcal vaccines: Two different pneumococcal vaccines (PCV13 and PPSV23) -- one year apart.

Hepatitis B vaccine: For people at medium or high risk.

COVID-19 vaccine: Covered at no cost.

HIV screening: Once per year for people at increased risk; once for all beneficiaries between ages 15-65.

To ensure no cost-sharing, confirm that:

1. Your provider accepts Medicare assignment
2. The service is being billed as a preventive service (not a diagnostic service)
3. You're receiving the service at the recommended frequency

If your doctor addresses a new problem during a preventive visit, that portion may be billed separately and subject to cost-sharing.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.