Turning 65 brings Medicare decisions, but here’s something to celebrate: you’re about to unlock access to an impressive collection of free preventive health services. While most people focus on Medicare’s costs, many overlook one of its most valuable features — comprehensive preventive care that doesn’t cost you a penny.

Most screenings and vaccines are covered under Medicare Part B at no cost when you see providers who accept Medicare assignment. That means no copays, no coinsurance, and crucially, no deductible applies to most preventive services, even though Medicare Part B has a $257 annual deductible in 2025.

Your Comprehensive Health Screening Menu

Medicare’s preventive services include exams, shots, lab tests, and screenings, plus programs for health monitoring and counseling to help you take care of your own health. Let’s explore what’s actually available.

Cancer Screenings That Could Save Your Life

Medicare covers screening mammograms once every 12 months for women 40 and older who have Medicare (some people qualify for Medicare before 65 due to disabilities or certain medical conditions), plus a baseline mammogram for women between 35-39. These screenings are completely free when your provider accepts Medicare assignment.

For colorectal cancer, your options are extensive. Medicare covers screening colonoscopies once every 120 months (10 years) for average-risk individuals, or every 24 months if you’re at high risk. Don’t love the idea of a colonoscopy? Medicare also covers a multi-target stool DNA test (like Cologuard) every 3 years, or annual fecal occult blood tests with a doctor’s referral.

Other covered cancer screenings include cervical cancer screening with Pap smears, prostate cancer screenings for men, and lung cancer screening for those who meet specific smoking history criteria.

Heart Health and Diabetes Monitoring

Your cardiovascular health gets serious attention. Medicare covers regular screenings for heart disease risk factors, blood pressure checks, and cholesterol testing. Diabetes screenings are included, along with ongoing diabetes self-management training if you’re diagnosed.

Essential Vaccines and Immunizations

Here’s where Medicare really shines. All recommended adult immunizations are covered, including flu shots, pneumococcal shots, hepatitis B vaccines, and COVID-19 vaccines. Starting in 2023, even vaccines typically covered under Medicare Part D (like the shingles vaccine) became free with no out-of-pocket costs.

Your Annual Wellness Visits: The Ultimate Health Planning Sessions

One of Medicare’s most underutilized benefits is the Annual Wellness Visit. During this visit, your provider will review your medical and social history, discuss preventive services, offer to talk about advance directives, and give you a written plan for needed screenings and shots.

Think of this as your personalized health roadmap for the year, and it’s completely free. You’re eligible for your first Annual Wellness Visit 12 months after your Medicare Part B coverage begins, then annually after that.

Making Sure You Don’t Pay When You Shouldn’t

The key to accessing these free services is understanding a crucial detail: you pay nothing for most preventive services when you see providers who agree to accept Medicare’s payment rates as full payment. This arrangement is called “accepting assignment.”

When scheduling preventive services, always confirm your provider accepts Medicare assignment. Most doctors, providers, and suppliers accept assignment, but always check to make sure that yours do. If they don’t, you might face unexpected charges even for services that should be free.

Watch Out for the “Diagnostic” Switch

Here’s something important to understand: if your provider finds something during a screening and needs to do additional testing, those follow-up services might involve cost-sharing. For example, if a mammogram leads to additional imaging, or if a polyp is removed during a colonoscopy, you pay 15% of the Medicare-approved amount for your provider’s services.

This doesn’t mean you should avoid screenings because early detection is invaluable. Just be aware that additional testing beyond the initial screening might involve costs.

Simple Steps to Maximize Your Benefits

Schedule Your Welcome Visit First

If you’re new to Medicare, start with your “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit within your first year of Part B coverage. This comprehensive appointment sets the foundation for your ongoing care.

Create Your Preventive Care Calendar

Work with your provider to map out your screening schedule. Some tests are annual (like mammograms), others happen every few years (like colonoscopies), and some depend on your risk factors. Having a clear timeline helps you stay on track.

Verify Provider Participation

Before each appointment, confirm your provider accepts Medicare assignment for preventive services. You can find providers who accept assignment using Medicare’s online tools.

Bring Your Documentation

Come prepared with your medical records, current medications list, and family health history. This information helps your provider recommend the most appropriate screenings for your situation.

Key Takeaways

• Most Medicare preventive services cost you nothing when you see providers who accept Medicare assignment (meaning they agree to Medicare’s payment rates), no deductible, copays, or coinsurance

• The Annual Wellness Visit is a free, comprehensive health planning session available every year after your first 12 months on Medicare Part B
• Cancer screenings, vaccines, and chronic disease monitoring are all included in your free preventive care package

• Always confirm your provider accepts Medicare assignment before receiving preventive services to avoid unexpected charges

• Additional diagnostic testing that results from positive screening results may involve standard Medicare cost-sharing