As the saying goes "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," and as you get older, taking preventative measures can keep you healthy. And if you are a Medicare beneficiary, there are a number of preventive services available to you. Anyone with Medicare Part B has access to the following preventive services (updated February 2013):

• Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers:

  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
  • Alcohol misuse screenings and counseling
  • Bone mass measurements (bone density)
  • Cardiovascular disease screenings
  • Cardiovascular disease (behavioral therapy)
  • Colorectal cancer screenings
  • Depression screenings
  • Diabetes screenings
  • Diabetes self-management training
  • Glaucoma tests
  • HIV screenings
  • Mammograms (screening)
  • Nutrition therapy services
  • Obesity screenings and counseling
  • One-time “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit
  • Pap tests and pelvic exams (screening)
  • Prostate cancer screenings
  • Sexually transmitted infections screening and counseling
  • Shots:
    • Flu shots
    • Hepatitis B shots
    • Pneumococcal shots
  • Tobacco use cessation counseling
  • Yearly "Wellness" visit

  Related resources (on Medicare.gov website)

  • Medicare & You: Stay Healthy with Medicare’s Preventive Benefits (video)
  • Medicare & You: Women's Preventive Health (video)