If you have Medicare, it’s important to know about the valuable services available to you—many of which are provided with no out-of-pocket costs. These services can help you stay healthy and catch potential health problems early, so you can enjoy a better quality of life as you age.
Regular check-ups are important for catching health problems before they become serious. With Medicare, you’re covered for these important visits.
When you first enroll in Medicare Part B, you can schedule a one-time “Welcome to Medicare Preventive Visit” within the first 12 months. During this visit, your doctor will check your height, weight, and blood pressure, along with giving you a vision test and screening for depression. You’ll also receive referrals for any additional services you might need.
After this first visit, you’re eligible for an annual wellness exam every year. These visits are similar to your initial check-up and allow your doctor to review your medications and update your list of healthcare providers.
Medicare covers these wellness exams completely. However, if your doctor suggests any extra tests or treatments that go beyond the basic visit, you may need to pay for those. To avoid unexpected costs, let your doctor know that you only want the services that are fully covered by Medicare.
In addition to wellness exams, Medicare covers several important screenings designed to catch health issues early when they’re easier to treat. Here are just a few of the screenings Medicare covers:
You’re also covered for cancer screenings for lung, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancers. Plus, Medicare covers an annual bone mass measurement to check for osteoporosis, as well as obesity screenings and counseling if needed. For a complete list of preventive tests covered by Medicare, visit the Medicare website.
Medicare also covers vaccines that help protect you from serious illnesses. These include flu shots, pneumonia vaccines, and hepatitis B shots. Like the other services mentioned, you can receive these vaccines at no cost as long as you see a doctor or healthcare provider who accepts Medicare Assignment—this means they agree to Medicare’s payment terms and won’t bill you extra.
As you get older, taking charge of your health is key to living well. Make sure you take advantage of these Medicare-covered services to keep yourself healthy and happy.
If you have any questions about your Medicare benefits or need help understanding what’s covered, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help you make the most of your coverage!
We are available Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 8 PM CST,
and on Saturday by appointment.
You can reach us by calling: 1-855-952-1941 TTY: 711
By calling this number you may be connected with a licensed agent.