What insurers don’t advertise is how much money you’re already entitled to in completely free medical care every year. Most people think they need to meet their deductible before insurance kicks in, but that’s not true for preventive services. The Affordable Care Act changed the game by requiring health plans to cover a wide range of screenings, shots, and checkups at 100% coverage.

You might be missing out on thousands of dollars in free healthcare simply because you don’t know what’s available.

Your Free Annual Healthcare Menu

The Complete Physical Package

Every year, you’re entitled to a comprehensive annual check-up that includes vital signs, BMI calculation, heart and lung examination, and basic lab work like cholesterol and blood glucose testing. Your primary care provider can also provide counseling on diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes during this visit.

For those on Medicare, this includes both the one-time “Welcome to Medicare” physical exam for new beneficiaries and annual wellness visits for existing beneficiaries.

Cancer Screenings That Save Lives

Mammograms: Covered annually for women 40 and older, with some plans covering baseline screenings for women 35-39. Some health plans also cover 3D mammography at no additional cost.

Colonoscopies: The gold standard for colorectal cancer screening is covered every 10 years starting at age 45 for average-risk individuals, or every 2 years for high-risk patients. Under the ACA, even if polyps are found and removed during the procedure, it should remain covered as preventive care for private insurance plans (though Medicare beneficiaries may face a 15% coinsurance for polyp removal, being phased out by 2030).

Cervical Cancer Screening: Pap tests are covered every 2-3 years for women, with HPV testing every 5 years for women ages 30-65.

Vaccinations for All Ages

Adult immunizations covered at 100% include annual flu shots, COVID-19 vaccines and boosters (though as of 2025, these may be limited to adults 65+ and high-risk individuals), hepatitis A and B, tetanus/diphtheria boosters, shingles vaccines for adults 50+, and pneumonia vaccines for eligible ages.

For children, all CDC-recommended vaccines are covered, including measles, mumps, rubella, polio, and HPV vaccines.

The Fine Print That Matters

In-Network Provider Requirement

These services are free only when delivered by a doctor or other provider in your plan’s network. Going out-of-network can trigger significant costs even for preventive care.

Screening vs. Diagnostic Distinction

The biggest gotcha in preventive care billing happens when a screening becomes diagnostic. If you go for a routine mammogram but have symptoms or the doctor finds something that requires follow-up, the service might be coded as diagnostic rather than preventive.

Similarly, if you get lab work during your annual physical but your doctor orders additional tests based on symptoms you mention, those extra tests might not be covered as preventive care.

Frequency Limitations

Most preventive services have specific timing requirements. Annual checkups are covered once per calendar year. Mammograms are typically once per year. Colonoscopies are every 10 years for average-risk individuals. Getting these services more frequently than recommended guidelines usually means you’ll pay out-of-pocket.

Maximizing Your Free Benefits

Schedule your annual physical early in the year, then use that appointment to discuss and schedule other preventive screenings you’re due for. Your provider can help you understand what tests are recommended based on your age, gender, and risk factors.

During any preventive visit, ask your provider which services will be billed as preventive (free) and which might incur charges. If your doctor wants to order additional tests based on symptoms or concerns, clarify whether these will be covered under preventive care or billed separately.

What to Watch Out For

Billing errors: Sometimes providers accidentally code preventive services as diagnostic. If you receive an unexpected bill for what should have been free preventive care, contact both your provider and insurer to verify the coding.

Grandfathered plans: Some older health plans that haven’t changed significantly since the ACA passed may not be required to provide free preventive care.

Additional procedures: Be cautious about add-on services during preventive visits. For example, if you’re getting a colonoscopy and the doctor suggests additional procedures not related to the screening, these might not be covered.

Bottom line: You’re already paying for comprehensive preventive care through your insurance premiums. Don’t leave money on the table by skipping these free services. Schedule your annual physical and use it as a launching pad to access all the preventive care you’re entitled to receive.