Medicare isn’t all about hospital stays and prescription drugs to address ailments. Recognizing that prevention is key to staying healthy and happy, Medicare also empowers you to keep your health in check through its preventive services. This post delves into what Medicare preventive services are, the services Medicare covers, and how much they cost.
Understanding Medicare’s Preventive Services
Medicare’s preventive services include exams, lab tests, shots, screenings, counseling, and education. These services are designed to prevent certain diseases or catch potential health issues before they become advanced and at a stage when they are easier to treat, promoting overall health and wellness.
What Preventive Services Does Medicare Cover?
Medicare’s preventive services cater to different age groups, risk factors, and health conditions. However, there are eligibility requirements and limits to the number of times you can get these services. For example, Medicare will pay for only 2 diabetes screenings per year. Some of the preventive services Medicare covers include:
Abdominal aortic aneurysm screenings - one time
Alcohol misuse screenings - once per year
Alcohol misuse counseling - 4 sessions per year
Bone mass measurements - Once every 24 months
Cardiovascular behavioral therapy - One visit per year
Cardiovascular disease screenings - Once every 5 years
Cervical & vaginal cancer screenings - Once every 24 months
Colorectal cancer screenings - Once every 24 years
Depression screening - Once per year
Diabetes screenings - 2 times per year
Diabetes self-management training - 10 hours initially
Flu shots - Once each flu season
Glaucoma tests - Once every 12 months
Hepatitis B shots
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection screenings - Once every 12 months
Hepatitis C screening tests - Once every 12 months
HIV screenings - Once every 12 months or 3 times during pregnancy
Lung cancer screenings - Once every 12 months
Mammograms (breast cancer screenings) - Once every 12 months
Obesity behavioral therapy
Pneumococcal shots - 2 shots
Preventive visits, including Annual Wellness Visits - once every 12 months
Prostate cancer screenings - Once every 12 months
Sexually transmitted infections screenings & counseling - once every 12 months or at certain times during pregnancy
How Much Does It Cost to Get Medicare’s Preventive Services?
If you’ve enrolled in Medicare Part B, you won’t have to pay anything to benefit from Medicare’s preventive services. You only need to keep paying your Part B premiums, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs and see a doctor who participates in Medicare.
Your doctor or healthcare provider may ask you to have screenings more often than Medicare covers. Sometimes, they may recommend diagnostic tests you’ll have to pay for partly or wholly. If you are unsure about whether a test is covered, talk to your doctor or healthcare provider to prevent surprises.
Take Advantage of Medicare’s Preventive Services Today to Keep Your Health in Check
With these preventive services, you can detect diseases early for prompt intervention, prevent diseases, get essential immunizations, receive counseling, and get a personalized health plan. Contact us today to learn more about Medicare’s preventive services.