Frequently Asked Questions
What preventive care is free under Medicare Part B?
Medicare Part B covers preventive screenings at $0 when done for screening purposes (not diagnostic): colonoscopy (every 10 years average risk), mammogram (annually), lung cancer CT (annually for qualifying former smokers), bone density scan (every 2 years), Pap smear (every 2 years), depression screening, diabetes screening (twice/year if at risk), AAA ultrasound (once for qualifying men), HIV and hepatitis C screening, alcohol misuse counseling, and the Annual Wellness Visit.
Are Medicare vaccines free?
All ACIP-recommended vaccines are $0 under Medicare Part D since 2023: flu (annually), COVID (annually updated), Shingrix shingles (2 doses, 50+), pneumococcal (Prevnar 20), RSV vaccine (Abrysvo, Arexvy, or mResvia — once for 60+), hepatitis B (if not previously vaccinated), and others. Most can be obtained at any participating pharmacy without a doctor visit. Show your Medicare card and request each vaccine by name.
How do I make sure I get all my preventive care?
The most efficient approach: schedule your Annual Wellness Visit and bring a written checklist. Tell your doctor which screenings you are due for and ask them to order all applicable ones at that visit. For vaccines, visit any Medicare-participating pharmacy and request each vaccine you haven't yet received. Keep a personal health record of screening completion dates so you know when each is due again.
What screenings does Medicare cover for seniors with diabetes?
Seniors with diabetes qualify for additional free benefits: annual comprehensive dilated eye exam (retinopathy screening at $0), annual diabetic foot exam with a podiatrist, twice-yearly diabetes screenings, nutrition therapy with a registered dietitian, and diabetes self-management training (10 hours initial + 2 hours annual). These are in addition to all standard preventive benefits.
Does Medicare cover cancer screenings?
Yes — Medicare covers at $0: colonoscopy (every 10 years, every 2 years if high risk), annual mammogram for women 40+, lung cancer CT annually for adults 50–77 who smoked heavily and currently smoke or quit within 15 years, and cervical cancer screening every 24 months. These are only covered at $0 when done for screening — if a problem is found and the procedure becomes diagnostic, standard cost-sharing applies.
Before year-end, every Medicare beneficiary should verify they've used every free preventive benefit they're entitled to. These screenings and vaccines are paid for through your Medicare premiums — using them is not an extra benefit, it's getting what you've already paid for. This checklist organizes everything by frequency so you know exactly what to schedule.
The Annual Wellness Visit is the most efficient way to get all your preventive care ordered in one appointment. Call your doctor and say: "I want to schedule my Medicare Annual Wellness Visit." Bring this checklist.
✅ Annually
- Annual Wellness Visit — request by name, $0, includes cognitive and depression screening
- Flu vaccine (high-dose) — September–October, $0 under Part D, request high-dose specifically
- Updated COVID vaccine — fall annually, $0 under Part D
- Mammogram (women 40+) — annually, $0 for screening
- Diabetes screening — twice/year if pre-diabetic or high risk, $0
- Diabetic eye exam (if diabetic) — annually, $0
- Lung cancer CT — if eligible (50–77, heavy smoker), annually, $0
- FIT colon test — annually as colonoscopy alternative, $0
✅ Every 2 Years
- Bone density scan (DEXA) — postmenopausal women at risk, every 24 months
- Pap smear (women) — every 24 months, $0
- Hepatitis C screening — every 12 months if at risk; once for adults born 1945–1965
✅ Every 10 Years
- Colonoscopy — average risk; every 2 years if high risk or polyp history, $0
✅ One-Time / Series
- Shingrix (shingles) — 2 doses (2–6 months apart), 50+, $0 under Part D
- RSV vaccine — single dose for adults 60+, $0 under Part D
- Prevnar 20 (pneumococcal) — 1 dose if not previously vaccinated, $0
- Hepatitis B vaccine — series if not previously vaccinated, $0 under Part D
- AAA ultrasound — once for men 65–75 who ever smoked, $0
- Welcome to Medicare visit — once in first year of Part B enrollment, $0
✅ Extra Benefits If You Have Diabetes
- Diabetic foot exam — annually with podiatrist, $0
- Nutrition therapy — with registered dietitian, $0
- Diabetes self-management training — 10 hours initial, 2 hours annual, $0
- Medical nutrition therapy — follow-up sessions with RD, $0
Use This Checklist at Your AWV
Print or screenshot this list. At your Annual Wellness Visit, go through each item and ask your doctor: "Am I due for this screening?" Your doctor creates your personalized prevention plan — a document tracking all your upcoming screenings and their due dates. This plan is maintained in your record and updated annually at each AWV.
- Schedule AWV immediately if you haven't had one this year
- Get all fall vaccines in September–October before respiratory season peaks
- If you have diabetes, confirm you've had your annual retinal exam and foot exam
- Keep personal records of screening completion dates
→ Annual Wellness Visit — How to Prepare
→ All Free Medicare Benefits
→ Fall Vaccines for Seniors 2026