Medicare covers far more than most people realize. Many of us discover that we’ve been missing out on valuable benefits simply because we didn’t know they existed. The reassuring news is that these overlooked services can improve your health while saving money, and most require nothing more than asking your doctor about them.

Preventive Services at No Cost

Medicare covers dozens of preventive screenings and vaccines without requiring you to meet deductibles or pay copayments. These include annual wellness visits that go beyond basic checkups to create personalized prevention plans based on your health risks and family history.

Mammograms, colonoscopies, bone density tests, and cardiovascular screenings are completely covered when performed as preventive care. Many people don’t realize that diabetes screening is included even if you don’t have diabetes symptoms, and depression screening is covered during routine visits.

The Medicare annual wellness visit lets you work with your doctor to develop a health plan for the coming year. This isn’t the same as a physical exam, but rather a comprehensive review of your health status, medications, and risk factors that helps prevent problems before they develop.

Mental Health and Counseling Services

Medicare Part B covers mental health counseling, therapy sessions, and psychiatric services with the same coverage as other medical visits. You’ll pay the standard 20% coinsurance after meeting your deductible, but many people don’t realize these services are available.

Grief counseling following the loss of a spouse or family member qualifies for coverage when provided by licensed mental health professionals. Depression and anxiety treatment are covered whether you’re dealing with new situations or long-standing conditions.

Medicare also covers partial hospitalization programs for mental health treatment. These intensive outpatient programs provide structured therapy and support while allowing you to return home each evening, offering an alternative to inpatient psychiatric care.

Diabetes Management and Supplies

Beyond covering blood glucose monitors and test strips, Medicare provides comprehensive diabetes education and training. Diabetes self-management training includes learning about meal planning, blood sugar monitoring, and medication management from certified diabetes educators.

Medicare covers therapeutic shoes for people with diabetes who meet specific criteria, and continuous glucose monitors for people with diabetes who use insulin. These devices provide real-time blood sugar readings without finger pricks.

Durable Medical Equipment at Home

Medicare covers much more medical equipment than most people realize. Hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers, and oxygen equipment are well-known covered items, but lesser-known benefits include bathroom safety equipment like shower chairs and raised toilet seats when prescribed by your doctor.

Medicare covers prosthetic devices including artificial limbs, breast prostheses after mastectomy, and eye prostheses. The coverage includes repairs and replacements when medically necessary.

Transportation for Medical Care

While Medicare doesn’t cover routine transportation to doctor appointments, it does cover ambulance services when medically necessary. This includes emergency ambulance rides and non-emergency transport when other transportation could endanger your health.

Telehealth and Remote Monitoring

Medicare’s telehealth benefits expanded significantly and now cover many services you can receive from home. Video visits with your regular doctors, mental health counseling, and some specialist consultations qualify for the same coverage as in-person visits.

Remote patient monitoring services are covered when your doctor determines you need ongoing health monitoring. These programs use devices that track vital signs, blood pressure, or other health indicators and transmit data to your healthcare team.

Medicare covers certain apps and digital health tools when prescribed by your doctor as part of a treatment plan. These digital therapeutics can help manage conditions like diabetes, depression, or chronic pain through structured programs delivered via smartphone or tablet.

Lesser-Known Covered Services

• Smoking cessation counseling and medications
• Nutrition therapy for diabetes and kidney disease
• Cardiac rehabilitation after heart attacks or procedures
• Pulmonary rehabilitation for lung conditions
• Weight loss counseling for obesity

Medical Nutrition Therapy

Medicare covers medical nutrition therapy for people with diabetes or kidney disease. Licensed dietitians work with you to develop meal plans and provide ongoing nutrition counseling to help manage your condition through diet. These services include initial nutrition assessments, individualized meal planning, and follow-up sessions.

Preventive Shots and Vaccines

Beyond the annual flu shot, Medicare covers several other vaccines including hepatitis B for people at high risk, pneumococcal vaccines to prevent pneumonia, and COVID-19 vaccines. Most vaccines are covered at 100% with no out-of-pocket costs. The shingles vaccine is covered under Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.

Getting the Most from Your Benefits

Many of these benefits require your doctor to determine they’re medically necessary and provide proper documentation. Don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare providers about services that might help your specific health conditions.

Keep track of preventive services you’ve received to ensure you’re getting all covered screenings on the recommended schedule. Review your Medicare Summary Notices to understand what services were covered and identify opportunities to take advantage of additional covered benefits.

Medicare’s benefits extend far beyond basic medical care when you know how to access them. Taking advantage of these covered services can improve your health outcomes while reducing your overall healthcare costs.