5 things that are free with Medicare

There’s never a copay for this 1-time office visit for new Medicare Part B members when you visit a doctor who accepts Medicare. And most do. In fact, 98% of doctors who treat adults participate in Medicare!¹  

During this visit, your doctor will take a thorough medical history, get your basic height, weight, and blood pressure measurements, and talk with you about any health issues. You may also learn about preventive services and screenings covered by Medicare. The Welcome to Medicare visit can help ensure you have the tools and knowledge you need to maintain and improve your health. This free visit must be used within the first 12 months of your Medicare coverage.

El plan Visita anual de bienestar de Medicare can be scheduled every 12 months. Best of all? Part B covers 100% of the visit when you visit a doctor in your plan's network, so you pay nothing de su bolsillo . 

Although it is a doctor visit, the Annual Wellness Visit doesn't include a physical exam. There are no needles, lab work or other tests. It's simply a chance for you and your doctor to talk about ways to improve or maintain your health, and to get your health questions answered in a comfortable setting.

3. Cancer screenings  

We can't say it enough. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Finding cancer in its earliest stages offers 1 of the best chances to beat it. These screenings may cost you a little time, but they won't cost you a penny out of pocket.

Cáncer colorrectal

Medicare covers screening colonoscopies once every 10 years, or 4 years after a previous flexible sigmoidoscopy. In addition, if you’ve had a stool-based screening test like Cologuard^® and the test result was positive for abnormal DNA or blood in your stool,² Medicare will cover a follow-up colonoscopy 100% as a screening test. 

Cáncer de pulmón

Medicare Part B covers low-dose CT scans for lung cancer screening once each year if: 

• You’re between the ages of 50 and 77. 
• You have no signs or symptoms of lung cancer . 
• You’re either a current smoker or you quit smoking within the last 15 years. 
• You’ve been smoking for at least 20 “pack years” (an average of 1 pack of cigarettes per day for 20 years). 
• Your doctor or other healthcare provider orders 1. 

Cáncer de próstata

Medicare Part B covers digital rectal exams and prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood tests once every 12 months for men over 50 (starting the day after your 50th birthday). 

Cáncer de mama

Medicare Part B covers screening mamografías every 12 months for women 40 and older with a doctor’s order. 

Cáncer cervical

Medicare Part B covers Pap tests and pelvic exams once every 12 months to check for cervical and vaginal cancers. 

4. Vaccinations

Medicare Part B (coverage for doctor visits) covers a number of vaccinations, including COVID-19, flu, hepatitis B and pneumonia.  

If you have a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, you’ll pay nothing for any adult vaccines recommended by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. That includes the culebrilla and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccines. Talk to your doctor about which are recommended for you. 

5. Tobacco and smoking cessation support

The average price of a pack of cigarettes in the U.S. is $8,³ so quitting will save you plenty. To help you quit, Medicare Part B will pay for up to 8 smoking cessation counseling sessions in a 12-month period, as long as you use a Medicare-approved professional. 

In addition, many Medicare Parte D prescription drug plans also offer full coverage for smoking cessation products like nicotine patches or nicotine gum. If you opt for Medicare Advantage, check your benefits for an over-the-counter allowance that can be used to buy nicotine replacement products.

Good health is priceless

These 5 "freebies" are all valuable parts of your healthcare coverage-and there is so much more to explore. Take some time to check out the details. Don't miss out on any free stuff that may support your best health.