Key Takeaways

• Medicare offers a wide range of preventive services that can help you detect serious health conditions early—often before symptoms appear.

• Many preventive services are covered with no out-of-pocket costs if you meet eligibility criteria and use approved providers.

Why Preventive Care Matters More Than Ever

Preventive care is one of the smartest ways to take charge of your health. With chronic illnesses on the rise and healthcare costs continuing to climb, the ability to detect conditions early can be a game-changer. If you’re enrolled in Medicare, you have access to a suite of preventive services designed to keep you healthier longer—and they’re often covered without cost-sharing if you meet the requirements.

In 2025, Medicare continues to emphasize prevention as a key part of your healthcare journey. Whether it’s cancer screenings, immunizations, or annual wellness visits, you’re entitled to benefits that can help you avoid bigger issues down the line.

What Medicare Covers for Preventive Care in 2025

You might be surprised at how many services are available to you under Medicare’s preventive umbrella. These services fall under Part B and are meant to monitor your health and catch any red flags early. Here’s what’s included:

Annual Wellness Visit

• Available once every 12 months

• Includes a personalized prevention plan based on your health status

• Review of your medical and family history, cognitive function, and risk factors

Cardiovascular Disease Screenings

• Every five years

• Includes blood tests to check cholesterol, lipid, and triglyceride levels

Cancer Screenings

• Mammograms: Once every 12 months for women 40+

• Pap Tests and Pelvic Exams: Every 24 months; every 12 months if high risk

• Colorectal Cancer Screenings: Frequency depends on method and risk level

• Prostate Cancer Screenings: Yearly PSA test for men 50+

Diabetes Screenings

• Up to two screenings per year for those at risk

• Risk includes high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, obesity, or a history of high blood sugar

Immunizations

• Flu shot: Once per flu season

• COVID-19 vaccines: As recommended annually or per public health guidelines

• Pneumococcal vaccine: One or two doses, depending on health status

• Hepatitis B vaccine: For those at medium or high risk

Bone Mass Measurements

• Every 24 months if you meet specific criteria such as being at risk for osteoporosis

Depression Screenings

• Once per year conducted in a primary care setting that can provide follow-up treatment

Alcohol Misuse Screenings and Counseling

• One screening per year

• Up to four brief counseling sessions per year if you screen positive

Who Is Eligible for These Preventive Services?

Eligibility depends on several factors, including your age, gender, medical history, and specific risk factors. However, most preventive services are available to all Medicare beneficiaries who meet these conditions:

• You have Medicare Part B

• You receive the service from a provider who accepts Medicare assignment

• You meet the service-specific criteria (age, risk level, etc.)

Make sure to check with your provider before scheduling any tests to confirm whether you meet the eligibility and whether the provider qualifies under Medicare’s guidelines.

What You Might Still Need to Pay

In many cases, preventive services are fully covered under Medicare Part B if certain conditions are met. That said, you may still incur costs in some situations:

• If your provider performs additional services during the same visit that are not considered preventive, you could be billed for those.

• If you use a provider who doesn’t accept Medicare assignment, you may have to pay more.

• Follow-up tests that result from a positive screening are not always considered preventive and may carry a copay or coinsurance.

Understanding the scope of coverage can help you avoid surprise bills. It’s always a good idea to ask your provider in advance what costs, if any, you may be responsible for.

How to Make the Most of Your Preventive Benefits

Getting access to services is one thing. Making sure you use them consistently is another. Here’s how to make the most of your Medicare preventive perks in 2025:

• Schedule your Annual Wellness Visit early in the year so your care plan stays on track.

• Keep a health journal to track vaccines, tests, and changes in symptoms.

• Talk to your doctor about your risk factors, especially if you have a family history of chronic conditions.

• Use Medicare’s online tools to see what preventive services you’re eligible for.

• Check your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) for preventive service billing to ensure it’s listed correctly.

Timeline for Preventive Services You Should Know

To better plan your year, here’s a timeline you can follow for some of the most common preventive services:

• Every Year

  • Annual Wellness Visit

  • Flu Shot

  • Mammogram (women 40+)

  • Prostate PSA test (men 50+)

  • Depression Screening

  • Diabetes Screening (if at risk)

  • Alcohol Misuse Screening

• Every 2 Years

  • Pap Test and Pelvic Exam (women)

  • Bone Mass Measurement (if at risk)

  • Cardiovascular Screening

• As Needed or Based on Risk

  • Hepatitis B Vaccine

  • Pneumococcal Vaccine

  • COVID-19 Vaccine

  • Colorectal Cancer Screening

Why You Shouldn’t Delay Preventive Screenings

It’s tempting to put off tests or screenings, especially if you feel fine. But many serious conditions—including cancers, heart disease, and diabetes—don’t show symptoms early. By the time symptoms appear, treatment is often more complex, more expensive, and less effective.

Preventive care gives you a chance to catch issues before they turn into something bigger. It can also give you peace of mind knowing you’re staying proactive about your health.

Delaying preventive care doesn’t just put your health at risk; it could lead to higher healthcare costs down the road. When conditions are detected late, Medicare may end up covering hospital stays, surgeries, or long-term medications—all of which could have been avoided.

What You Can Discuss With Your Doctor

Your Annual Wellness Visit is the perfect opportunity to ask your doctor about:

• Your family medical history and any screenings you may need

• Your lifestyle choices and how they affect your health risks

• Mental health concerns like depression or memory issues

• A checklist of which immunizations you need for the year

• Setting up a screening schedule based on your personal risks

Being informed means you’re more likely to follow through—and your provider is more likely to tailor care that works for you.

A Simple Way to Take Control of Your Health

Preventive care is not just a benefit; it’s a strategy. With Medicare’s continued commitment to prevention in 2025, there’s every reason to take advantage of the services available to you.

Don’t wait until something feels wrong. Use your preventive benefits as a proactive measure to stay well and reduce your chances of serious illness. Start with your Annual Wellness Visit, and let that be the foundation of your health plan for the year.

Make Preventive Care Part of Your Health Routine

Taking full advantage of Medicare’s preventive perks in 2025 can save you time, money, and stress. These benefits are built into your coverage to help you stay healthier longer. Don’t let them go unused.

For help understanding what preventive services apply to your situation or if you need guidance on how to use them correctly, speak with a licensed agent listed on this website. They can offer professional advice tailored to your needs.