Medicare Preventive Services
It can be confusing trying to understand what Medicare preventive services will covered and what will not!
However, there is no confusion when it comes to Preventive Services because Medicare covers that!
If you are unsure what Preventative Services are covered, you can click here.
As a Senior Benefit Services value-added service, you can always contact us to help with any coverage questions and/or get a free quote.
The One Thing That is Not Covered Will Shock You
Believe it or not, Medicare does not cover yearly Physicals. While you do get a Welcome To Medicare physical, this is only covered once.
How To Still Get Your Health Check-Up Each Year
The Annual Wellness Visit is an appointment with your primary care provider, during which they will update your prevention plan. The purpose of the appointment, after all, is to help you prevent sickness based on your health status and any risk factors you may have. While it is not quite as in-depth as a full physical, it does provide the following:
- Routine measurements
- Height, weight, and blood pressure check
- Health risk assessment consisting of questions about your healthcare status, needs, and risks
- Review of medical history and family medical history
- Review your list of current medications
- Assessment of your functional ability and mobility. This will help determine if you are able to handle your tasks of daily living like eating, bathing, transferring, and dressing
- Screenings for hearing issues, dementia, and depression
Keep in mind that the Annual Wellness visit is covered 100% by Medicare and can only be conducted every 12 months.
What Other Preventive Services Are Covered by Medicare?
Medicare covers a wide range of preventive services to help you stay healthy and detect potential health issues early. Here’s a list of some of the key preventive services covered under Medicare:
- Annual Wellness Visit: This visit includes a review of your medical and family history, a list of current providers and prescriptions, height, weight, blood pressure measurements, and a personalized prevention plan.
- Cardiovascular Screenings: Medicare covers blood tests to check cholesterol, lipid, and triglyceride levels every 5 years.
- Cancer Screenings:
- Breast Cancer (Mammograms): Medicare covers screening mammograms once every 12 months for women aged 40 and older.
- Cervical and Vaginal Cancer (Pap Smear and Pelvic Exam): These are covered every 24 months, or every 12 months if you’re at high risk.
- Colorectal Cancer: Coverage includes screenings such as fecal occult blood tests, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy.
- Prostate Cancer: Medicare covers a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test once every 12 months for men aged 50 and older.
- Diabetes Screening and Services: Medicare covers tests for people at risk of diabetes and self-management training for those diagnosed with diabetes.
- Flu Shots: Medicare covers one flu shot per flu season.
- Hepatitis B Shots: This series of shots is covered for those at medium or high risk.
- Hepatitis C Screening: Covered for people at high risk, including those with a history of illicit drug use and recipients of blood transfusions before 1992.
- HIV Screening: Medicare covers this test once every 12 months or up to three times per year during pregnancy.
- Lung Cancer Screening: Annual screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for people aged 55-77 who have a history of heavy smoking.
- Obesity Screening and Counseling: Medicare covers screenings and behavioral counseling to help you lose weight.
- Pneumococcal Shots: Medicare covers pneumococcal vaccines to prevent certain types of pneumonia.
- Smoking Cessation Counseling: If you use tobacco, Medicare covers up to 8 face-to-face visits per 12-month period.
- Bone Density Test: Medicare covers bone mass measurements to see if you’re at risk for broken bones.
- Depression Screening: An annual screening for depression is covered.
- Alcohol Misuse Screening and Counseling: Medicare covers one alcohol misuse screening per year and counseling sessions if you’re determined to be misusing alcohol.
These preventive services are designed to help detect potential health problems early, when treatment is most likely to be effective. It’s important to take advantage of these services to maintain your health and well-being.
Take Action!
Senior Benefit Services has expert agents standing by to to help you with your understanding of Medicare, or guide you thru obtaining important Medicare Supplemental or Medicare Advantage Plans. Call (800)924-4727 to get the help you deserve.
You can also get a free Medicare Supplement quote by completing the form below.