Free Preventive Services Every Senior Should Use

🩺 Free Preventive Services Every Senior Should Use (2026)

One of Medicare’s most valuable features is its wide range of free preventive services.
These screenings and checkups help detect health issues early—before they become serious or expensive.
This guide breaks down the top preventive services available in 2026, how often you can use them, and what costs (if any) apply.

📘 Want a deeper Medicare guide for 2026?

If you’d like a step-by-step walkthrough of Medicare enrollment, plan choices, and
common pitfalls, these 2025–2026 guides can be helpful companions to this article:

👉
MEDICARE TURNING 65 IN 2026 — Most Common Medicare Questions Answered

👉
Medicare Plan Guide for Beginners (2025–2026 Edition)

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1️⃣ The “Welcome to Medicare” Visit (Once in a Lifetime)

During your first 12 months of Part B enrollment, you qualify for a free “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit.
This includes:

Review of medical and family history
Blood pressure, height, weight, BMI
Depression and safety assessments
Vision test
Referrals for screenings or specialists

💡 This is not a physical exam—it’s a preventive checkup to establish your Medicare care plan.

2️⃣ Annual Wellness Visit — Yearly Free Check-in

After your first year, Medicare covers a free Annual Wellness Visit every 12 months.
It helps you create or update a personalized prevention plan.

Review of medical conditions and medications
Risk assessment for falls and chronic conditions
Cognitive screening for memory concerns
Routine measurement of vitals

⚠️ If additional tests are ordered during the same visit, you may owe Part B coinsurance.

3️⃣ Top Preventive Screenings Covered at No Cost

Medicare Part B covers many preventive screenings at zero cost when your doctor accepts assignment.

Colorectal cancer screenings (frequency depends on test type)
Mammograms — one free screening every 12 months
Bone density tests (every 24 months; more often if medically necessary)
Lung cancer screening for eligible adults
Diabetes screening (up to 2 times per year)
Cardiovascular risk assessments
Hepatitis B & C screenings
HIV screening (free for all adults once per year)

4️⃣ Vaccines Covered by Medicare in 2026

Thanks to recent Medicare improvements, several vaccines are fully covered with $0 out-of-pocket cost.

Flu shot (annually)
Pneumococcal vaccine
COVID-19 vaccines (updated versions)
Hepatitis A & B when medically necessary
Shingles (Shingrix) — always free under Part D

💡 If your provider does not accept Medicare, you may still owe costs—confirm before your appointment.

5️⃣ How to Make the Most of Free Preventive Care

Schedule your Annual Wellness Visit every year.
Track screenings and ask your doctor about recommended intervals.
Choose providers who accept Medicare assignment to avoid extra charges.
Review your Part D plan to ensure vaccines are fully covered.
Use preventive care early to catch problems before they grow.

🔗 Helpful Links

Medicare Preventive Services List

📚 Medicare Made Simple (2026 Edition)

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