8 Free Preventive Services Medicare Covers That Most Seniors Skip

Medicare Part B covers more than 40 preventive services at absolutely no cost to you. No copay, no coinsurance, no deductible. The only requirement is that your provider accepts Medicare assignment. Yet despite this generous coverage, utilization data tells a surprising story: most beneficiaries only take advantage of a small fraction of what is available to them.

According to CMS data, the Annual Wellness Visit - one of Medicare's most valuable free benefits - had a utilization rate of just 34% nationally as recently as 2019. Lung cancer screening, which can catch cancer at its most treatable stage, reaches fewer than 5% of eligible Medicare beneficiaries. And programs like the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program remain largely unknown to the millions who qualify.

This article highlights 8 specific preventive services that Medicare covers at zero cost but that most seniors either do not know about or have never used. Each one could save you money, catch a health problem early, or connect you with support you did not realize existed.

Why Most Seniors Miss These Services

There are a few common reasons beneficiaries skip free preventive care. First, many people simply do not know what Medicare covers beyond basic doctor visits and hospital stays. Second, some providers do not proactively offer these services unless a patient specifically asks. Third, there is often confusion between a "routine physical" (which Original Medicare does not cover) and the Annual Wellness Visit (which is free). Understanding the distinction is the first step toward getting the care you have already paid for through your Part B premium.

The services below are covered under Original Medicare Part B. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, these same preventive services are also covered at $0, though your plan may have additional requirements like using in-network providers.

1. The Annual Wellness Visit

The Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) is arguably the most valuable free service Medicare offers, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood. This is not a head-to-toe physical exam. Instead, it is a structured visit where your doctor reviews your health history, updates your list of providers and medications, screens for cognitive impairment, checks your risk for depression and falls, and creates a personalized prevention plan for the year ahead.

You become eligible for the AWV 12 months after your Part B effective date. After that, you can schedule one every calendar year at no cost. During the visit, your provider will also review which other preventive screenings you are due for based on your age, gender, and health history. Think of it as the gateway to every other service on this list.

Utilization has been climbing in recent years, with some practices reaching 50% completion rates after implementing proactive outreach. But nationally, roughly half of all Medicare beneficiaries still skip this visit every year. If you have not scheduled yours for 2026, call your primary care provider today.

2. Lung Cancer Screening (Low-Dose CT)

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and early detection dramatically improves survival rates. Medicare covers an annual low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan for beneficiaries who meet all of the following criteria: you are between 50 and 77 years old, you have a 20 pack-year smoking history (for example, one pack per day for 20 years or two packs per day for 10 years), and you currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.

Despite clear evidence that LDCT screening reduces lung cancer mortality by up to 20%, fewer than 5% of eligible Medicare beneficiaries get screened each year. A 2022 study in the Journal of the American College of Radiology found that screening rates jumped significantly at age 65 when Medicare eligibility begins, suggesting that cost was a major barrier for younger adults. But even with Medicare covering the full cost, awareness remains the primary obstacle.

• The screening itself takes about 10 minutes and is painless (no injection or contrast dye).

• You need a written order from your physician or qualified non-physician practitioner.

• A shared decision-making visit with your doctor is required before your first screening.

• If you are found to have lung nodules, follow-up imaging is also covered.

3. Annual Depression Screening

Depression affects an estimated 7 million American adults over age 65, yet it often goes undiagnosed in older populations. Symptoms like fatigue, sleep changes, and loss of interest are frequently dismissed as normal aging. Medicare covers one depression screening per year when performed in a primary care setting that has staff-assisted depression care supports in place (meaning the office can provide follow-up treatment or referrals if needed).

The screening itself is brief, typically a standardized questionnaire like the PHQ-2 or PHQ-9 that takes less than five minutes to complete. There is no copay, no deductible, and no coinsurance. If the screening identifies symptoms of depression, your provider can discuss treatment options during the same visit, including counseling, medication, or referral to a mental health specialist.

This service is particularly important for beneficiaries who have recently experienced a major life change such as the loss of a spouse, a new chronic diagnosis, or a move to a new living situation. If your doctor does not bring it up during your Annual Wellness Visit, you can request it yourself.

4. Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program

The Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) is one of the most comprehensive free benefits Medicare offers, and one of the least known. It is a structured 2-year lifestyle change program designed for beneficiaries who have been diagnosed with prediabetes. The program includes group coaching sessions (in-person or virtual), personalized goal-setting for weight loss and physical activity, and ongoing support from a trained lifestyle coach.

To qualify, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part B, have a body mass index of at least 25 (or 23 if you self-identify as Asian), have a blood test result in the prediabetes range within the past year (fasting glucose of 110-125 mg/dL, HbA1c of 5.7-6.4%, or a 2-hour plasma glucose of 140-199 mg/dL), and have no previous diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

The program begins with 16 weekly core sessions over the first 6 months, followed by monthly maintenance sessions for the remaining 18 months. Research from the CDC's National Diabetes Prevention Program shows that participants who complete the program reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58% (71% for adults over 60). The entire program is covered at $0 to you.

5. Tobacco Cessation Counseling (8 Sessions)

If you use tobacco in any form, Medicare covers up to 8 individual counseling sessions every 12 months to help you quit. These sessions are provided by a qualified physician or other Medicare-recognized practitioner, last approximately 10 minutes each, and cost you nothing. No referral is required, and you do not need to have a tobacco-related illness to qualify.

The benefit is structured as two quit attempts per year, with up to 4 sessions per attempt. If your first attempt does not succeed, you can try again within the same 12-month period with 4 additional sessions. This is separate from any nicotine replacement therapy or prescription medications your doctor may recommend, which would be covered under Medicare Part D.

Despite the well-documented health benefits of quitting tobacco at any age, utilization of this benefit remains extremely low. Many beneficiaries do not realize it exists, and some providers do not routinely offer it. If you smoke or use tobacco products, simply tell your doctor at your next visit that you would like to use your Medicare cessation counseling benefit.

💡 Eddie's Pro Tip

Here is something I tell every client who smokes or recently quit: schedule your Annual Wellness Visit and your first tobacco cessation session on the same day. Your AWV is free, your cessation counseling is free, and knocking both out in one trip means you are more likely to follow through. I have seen people put off the cessation counseling for months because it feels like a separate errand. Make it easy on yourself. One appointment, two free services, zero excuses.

6. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a potentially fatal enlargement of the body's main artery. If it ruptures, the mortality rate exceeds 80%. The good news is that a simple, painless ultrasound can detect an aneurysm before it becomes dangerous. Medicare covers a one-time AAA screening for beneficiaries who are at risk.

You are eligible for this free screening if you have a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysms, or if you are a man between 65 and 75 who has smoked at least 100 cigarettes in your lifetime. The screening must be ordered as part of your "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit (the one-time initial visit available within your first 12 months on Part B) or referred by your physician.

Because this is a one-time benefit, timing matters. If you are newly enrolled in Medicare and have any of the risk factors above, make sure to request this screening during your Welcome to Medicare visit. Once that 12-month window closes, the referral pathway becomes the only option, and many providers do not think to offer it proactively.

7. Hepatitis B Vaccine

Medicare Part B covers the Hepatitis B vaccine series at no cost for beneficiaries who are at medium to high risk for the virus. Risk factors include having diabetes, end-stage renal disease, living with someone who has Hepatitis B, being a healthcare worker (current or former), or having a condition that compromises your immune system.

The vaccine is typically administered as a series of 2 or 3 shots over a period of 1 to 6 months, depending on the specific vaccine used. All doses in the series are covered at $0 under Part B. This is different from most other vaccines, which are covered under Part D. Because Hepatitis B is covered under Part B, there is no pharmacy copay and no deductible applies.

Hepatitis B can cause chronic liver disease, liver cancer, and liver failure. Many people carry the virus without symptoms for years. If you have diabetes or any of the other risk factors listed above, ask your doctor whether you have been vaccinated. Many adults who received childhood vaccines may not have received the Hepatitis B series, which was not routinely given to children until the early 1990s.

8. Medical Nutrition Therapy

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) provides personalized dietary counseling from a registered dietitian or nutrition professional. Medicare covers this service at $0 for beneficiaries who have diabetes, renal (kidney) disease, or have received a kidney transplant within the past 36 months. You need a referral from your treating physician.

In your first year, Medicare covers 3 hours of one-on-one nutritional counseling. In subsequent years, you receive 2 hours annually. These sessions go far beyond generic diet advice. A registered dietitian will review your lab results, medications, and eating habits to create a specific meal plan tailored to your condition. For diabetics, this can mean better blood sugar control, fewer medication adjustments, and reduced risk of complications.

This benefit is especially underutilized because many beneficiaries do not realize it exists or assume that "nutrition counseling" is not a medical service. In reality, studies consistently show that MNT reduces HbA1c levels in diabetic patients and slows the progression of chronic kidney disease. If you have either condition, ask your doctor for a referral to a Medicare-enrolled dietitian.

How to Make the Most of These Services

The simplest way to ensure you are using all the preventive services available to you is to start with your Annual Wellness Visit. During that appointment, your provider will review your health history and create a personalized prevention plan that identifies which screenings, vaccines, and programs you are due for. Bring this list to every subsequent appointment.

1. Schedule your Annual Wellness Visit early in the calendar year so you have time to follow up on any recommended screenings.

2. Ask your provider directly: "Are there any free preventive services I am eligible for that I have not used?"

3. Keep a record of which screenings you have completed and when. Some services (like the AWV) are available once per calendar year, while others (like the AAA screening) are one-time only.

4. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, confirm that your provider is in-network before scheduling preventive services to ensure $0 cost-sharing.

5. Remember that preventive services are only free when coded as preventive. If your doctor discovers a problem during a screening and performs additional diagnostic work during the same visit, those extra services may be billed separately.

Medicare's preventive benefits exist to catch health problems early, when treatment is most effective and least expensive. Every service on this list is covered at $0 because the evidence shows that prevention saves lives and reduces long-term healthcare costs. The only thing standing between you and these benefits is awareness. Now that you know what is available, the next step is a phone call to your doctor's office.

If you have questions about how your specific Medicare plan covers preventive services, or if you want help understanding the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage when it comes to preventive care, a licensed Medicare agent can walk you through your options at no cost.

Frequently Asked Questions