Are you making the most of your Medicare plan? Check out this 13 things beneficiaries get for free

Medicare, the federal government health insurance plan primarily for people 65 and older, also has some hidden benefits.

While many may see it as expensive, there are indeed plenty of ways you can take advantage of the perks of the program that helps millions of people in need across the country.

A free welcome check-up

Your complimentary welcome visit should occur within the first 12 months of enrolling in Medicare Part B and is free as it allows your provider to establish a baseline for your future care.

During this visit, your medical history and medications will be reviewed, and your provider will check your blood pressure, height, and weight, conduct a basic vision test, and ask questions about your mental and behavioural health.

Don’t forget the yearly wellness visits

While the yearly check-up is not a full physical exam, which is not covered by Medicare, this procedure will, as put by Medicare, “help prevent disease or disability”.

During this visit, your provider will perform a risk assessment and use the findings to update the care plan established during your welcome visit. Remember, you cannot schedule an annual wellness visit within the first 12 months of enrolling in Medicare Part B.

Seasonal vaccines

Medicare covers most vaccines at no cost for enrollees with Medicare Part D prescription plans or Medicare Advantage drug coverage, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

These vaccines may include shots for shingles, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), COVID-19, Hepatitis B, the flu, and more.

Alcohol counselling

Around 18 million adults in the U.S. are affected by alcohol use disorder (AUD), and Medicare covers one screening for alcohol misuse per year.

If your primary care doctor or another healthcare provider determines you’re misusing alcohol, you can receive up to four face-to-face counseling sessions annually in your doctor’s office or clinic.

Treatment for Opioid use

Opioids are responsible for 7 out of 10 overdose deaths and a huge problem in the United States. Fortunately, Medicare covers the cost of recovery treatments for opioid use disorder, and you won’t pay a copay if you receive treatments through an opioid treatment program (OTP) enrolled in Medicare.

Colorectal screenings

Colorectal cancer is projected to cause around 52,900 deaths in the U.S. in 2025, according to the American Cancer Society. Medicare covers four types of colorectal cancer screenings, including:

• A faecal occult blood test every 12 months, starting at age 45
• A flexible sigmoidoscopy every 48 months, also starting at age 45
• A stool DNA test every three years for individuals between the ages of 45 and 85 who are not at high risk for colon cancer and have no symptoms of colorectal disease
• A screening colonoscopy every 10 years if you are not at high risk for colon cancer, or every two years if you have a family history of colon cancer or previous colon issues

Depression screenings

Around 21 million adults in the U.S. (8.4%) experienced a major depressive episode in 2023 and Medicare Part B recipients are eligible for one free depression screening each year in their primary care provider’s office.

During the screening, you may be asked about your sleep patterns, suicidal thoughts, feelings of hopelessness, and more. If your provider recommends follow-up treatment, your Part B coinsurance will apply.

Yearly Mammograms

Medicare covers one screening mammogram each year for women over the age of 40.

If the screening mammogram shows concerning results, however, your healthcare provider may recommend a diagnostic mammogram, for which you may be responsible for part of the cost.

Diabetes Screenings

Over 38 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, according to the CDC. Yet, 22.8% of adults with diabetes remain undiagnosed, even though Medicare Part B covers up to two diabetes screenings each year.

Your provider will assess your risk for diabetes and look for factors such as high blood pressure or a history of high blood sugar. Medicare will also cover these screenings if two or more of the following apply:

• You are over 65
• You are overweight
• You have a family history of diabetes
• You had gestational diabetes during pregnancy

Lung Cancer Screenings

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, according to Mayo Clinic. You don’t have to be a smoker to develop lung cancer.

Medicare covers one low-dose computed tomography (CT) screening each year for individuals aged 50 to 77 who have no signs or symptoms of lung cancer but currently smoke, have smoked in the past 15 years, or have a history of smoking.

Yearly Prostate Cancer Screenings

Around 12.8% of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, with more than 99% of cases occurring in men over 50.

Medicare Part B covers the cost of an annual prostate-specific antigen (PSA) lab screening and a digital rectal exam starting the day after your 50th birthday.

Nutrition Services

If you have kidney disease, diabetes, or have received a kidney transplant in the past 36 months, Medicare will cover certain nutrition services, including an initial nutrition and lifestyle assessment to help manage your condition.

Bone Density Tests

Bone density tests can help determine your risk of bone fractures. Medicare covers them for eligible recipients every two years, or more frequently if recommended by your healthcare provider. To qualify, you must meet one or more of the following criteria:

• You are a woman diagnosed with oestrogen deficiency and at risk of osteoporosis
• Your X-rays suggest osteoporosis, osteopenia, or vertebral fractures
• You take prednisone or other steroid-type medications
• You have primary hyperparathyroidism
• You are undergoing osteoporosis drug therapy

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