One of the most valuable—and often overlooked—aspects of Medicare is its focus on preventive care. Catching health issues early can make a world of difference, and Medicare offers many preventive services at no cost. Yet, confusion remains over which services are “free” and which might still involve a bill.

Let’s break down how Medicare covers preventive care, what’s included, and how to make the most of your benefits.

What Counts as Preventive Care

Preventive care refers to screenings, tests, or visits designed to detect problems before symptoms appear. Examples include flu shots, mammograms, and cholesterol checks. As long as your provider accepts Medicare and the service meets Medicare’s criteria, you pay nothing out of pocket for approved preventive care.

What’s Covered Under Part B

Some of the most popular preventive services include:

• Annual Wellness Visit
• Cardiovascular and diabetes screenings
• Cancer screenings(breast, colorectal, prostate, lung)
• Depression screening
• Obesity and tobacco cessation counseling
• Bone density testing for women at risk of osteoporosis

Medicare also covers vaccinations for flu, pneumonia, COVID-19, and hepatitis B.

What May Still Cost You

If your provider performs additional diagnostic tests or finds something that requires treatment during a preventive visit, you may pay a deductible or coinsurance. For example:

• If your screening colonoscopy includes a polyp removal, that part may be billed as diagnostic.
• Follow-up tests ordered after a preventive visit can incur costs.

Understanding this distinction helps avoid surprises when your Medicare Summary Notice arrives.

Preventive Care Through Medicare Advantage

All Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans cover the same preventive services as Original Medicare—and many go beyond. Some offer:

• Free gym memberships (SilverSneakers or equivalent)
• Routine dental, vision, or hearing exams
• Wellness programs and nutrition counseling

Croft Insurance helps clients compare plans to find those that offer the best combination of preventive and wellness benefits.

Why Preventive Care Matters

Preventive care saves lives and money. Regular screenings reduce hospitalizations, improve chronic disease management, and help detect conditions before they become severe. The earlier an issue is found, the simpler and less costly it is to treat.

How to Maximize Your Benefits

1. Review your preventive care schedule annually.
2. Book your Annual Wellness Visit early.
3. Ask providers if a service is billed as preventive or diagnostic.
4. Use in-network providers if you have a Medicare Advantage plan.

How Croft Insurance Helps

Our agents make sure your Medicare coverage aligns with your healthcare goals. We help you understand what’s fully covered, identify optional benefits, and compare plans that prioritize preventive wellness—all so you can focus on staying healthy year-round.

Medicare’s preventive benefits are one of its strongest assets—but only if you use them. Taking advantage of screenings, wellness visits, and vaccines keeps you healthier and more confident in your coverage.

If you’re unsure what your plan includes, Croft Insurance can help you review your preventive care options and ensure you’re getting the most value out of your Medicare benefits.