Did you know that Medicare covers many preventive health services?

Published: June 1, 2024 | Last updated: October 23, 2026

What Preventive Services Does Medicare Cover?

In short: Medicare covers many preventive services at no cost to you when your provider accepts Medicare. These include a "Welcome to Medicare" visit, a yearly wellness visit, cancer screenings like mammograms and colonoscopies, heart disease and diabetes screenings, and vaccines like the flu shot. Medicare Advantage plans cover the same preventive services, often at $0 when you see in-network providers.

Preventive care is one of the most valuable parts of your Medicare coverage, and many people don't use all of it. Screenings can catch health problems early, when they're easier to treat. At Lourie Life & Health, we want to help you understand your benefits so you can get the most from your plan.

Which Preventive Services Does Medicare Cover at No Cost?

Medicare covers a wide range of preventive screenings and services, including:

• Wellness visits: a one-time "Welcome to Medicare" visit and a yearly wellness visit
• Cancer screenings: breast (mammograms), colorectal, lung (for those who qualify), cervical, and prostate
• Heart health: cardiovascular screening blood tests
• Other screenings: diabetes, hepatitis B and C, HIV, depression, and bone density
• Vaccines: flu, COVID-19, pneumonia, and hepatitis B, plus shingles through Part D

What Is the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit?

In your first 12 months with Part B, you can get a one-time "Welcome to Medicare" visit. After that, you can get a yearly wellness visit. During these visits, your doctor reviews your health history and builds a personalized plan for screenings and shots. These visits are not a full physical exam, but they're a great starting point.

Why Is Colorectal Cancer Screening So Important?

Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, and screening is one of the most important preventive services Medicare covers. March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, but any time is a good time to schedule your screening. Here's why it matters:

1. It's one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the U.S. But when it's caught early, it's often very treatable. A colonoscopy can find and remove abnormal growths (polyps) before they turn into cancer.
2. It's not just an "older person" cancer. Your risk goes up with age, but colorectal cancer is being found more often in younger adults. Family history, certain genetic conditions, and inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn's can raise your risk.
3. Women are at risk, too. Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. Many women keep up with yearly mammograms but put off colorectal screening.
4. Treatment works best when it starts early. The right treatment depends on the location, size, and stage of the growth. Your doctor can walk you through your options.
5. You have more than one screening option. A colonoscopy is the most thorough test, but there are others, including at-home stool tests and CT colonography (a "virtual colonoscopy"). Talk with your doctor about which test is right for you.

Does Medicare Cover Colonoscopies?

Yes. Medicare covers screening colonoscopies, at-home stool tests, and other colorectal cancer screenings. How often you're covered depends on the test and your risk level. If an at-home stool test comes back positive, Medicare also covers the follow-up colonoscopy as part of screening.

If your doctor removes a polyp during a screening colonoscopy, you may owe a small coinsurance. That cost is being phased out and is scheduled to drop to $0 by 2030.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Medicare preventive services really free?

Usually, when your provider accepts Medicare. If your doctor finds something during a screening and does more tests or treatment in the same visit, you may owe a copay or coinsurance.

How often does Medicare cover a colonoscopy?

For most people, a screening colonoscopy is covered once every 10 years. If you're at high risk, it's covered once every 2 years. Different rules apply after other screening tests, so check with your doctor.

At what age should I start colorectal cancer screening?

Most experts recommend starting at age 45 for people at average risk. If you have a family history or other risk factors, your doctor may recommend starting earlier.

Does Medicare cover at-home colon cancer tests?

Yes. Medicare covers certain at-home stool tests for people who qualify, at no cost to you.

Does Medicare Advantage cover the same preventive services?

Yes. Medicare Advantage plans must cover all the preventive services Original Medicare covers, often at $0 in-network.

Does it cost anything to get help understanding my benefits?

No. Lourie Life & Health's service is at no cost to you.

Make the Most of Your Medicare Benefits

Preventive care helps you stay healthy and catch problems early. If you're not sure what your plan covers, we're here to help. At Lourie Life & Health, we're more than your local agency. We're your advocate.

Call a local South Carolina agent today: Columbia (803) 256-2067 · Greenville (864) 551-2300 · Myrtle Beach (843) 800-1195 · Beaufort (843) 278-9567 

Want the full picture? Download our free Medicare Guidebook.