8. Explore Free Preventive Care and Wellness Programs
Catching health issues early prevents costly medical emergencies later. Medicare covers a robust suite of preventive services at absolutely no cost to you, provided you visit doctors who accept Medicare assignment. Taking advantage of these free screenings protects both your physical health and your wallet.
During your first 12 months on Part B, you qualify for a “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit. After that first year, you earn a free Annual Wellness Visit to develop or update a personalized prevention plan. These visits are not standard physicals; they focus heavily on assessing cognitive function, establishing baseline health metrics, and reviewing your current medications.
Medicare also fully covers numerous preventive screenings, including bone mass measurements, cardiovascular disease screenings, and various cancer screenings. You also receive full coverage for annual flu shots, pneumococcal vaccines, and COVID-19 vaccines. Always ask your provider to confirm that a recommended test falls under Medicare’s preventive care umbrella to ensure you owe nothing out of pocket.
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