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:
If your Medicare Part B coverage begins on or after January 1, 2005, Medicare will cover a one-time “Welcome to Medicare” preventive physical exam within the first six months that you have Part B. Additionally, those at risk for abdominal aortic aneurysms may be referred for a one-time ultrasound at their initial exam.
Medicare covers one test every five years to check your cholesterol and other blood fat levels.
Medicare covers breast cancer screening (mammograms) once a year for women over age 40; cervical and vaginal cancer screening (pap test and pelvic exam) once every two years for all women; colon cancer screening (colorectal) every year to every four years, depending on the test; and prostate cancer screening (PSA) every year for men.
Medicare covers flu, pneumococcal, and Hepatitis B immunizations.
For women, Medicare covers bone mass measurements to check if you are at risk for fracture due to osteoporosis. The test is covered once every 24 months.
One glaucoma test is covered each year for people at high risk for glaucoma.
For some of these tests, beneficiaries in regular Medicare pay nothing; for other tests, Part B’s 20 percent copayment applies. For more information from Medicare.gov about what preventive services are covered, click here.
About Evan H Farr, CELA, CAP
