Medicare, the federal health insurance program primarily for those aged 65 and older, provides several services at no additional cost to help you maintain your health. Let’s explore ten of these free services available to you in 2025.
- Welcome to medicare preventive visit
If you’re new to Medicare Part B, you’re entitled to a “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit within your first 12 months of coverage. This one-time appointment includes a review of your medical history, measurements of vital signs like blood pressure and weight, a vision test, and an assessment of your risk factors. It’s a great way to establish a health baseline with your provider.
- Annual wellness visit
After your first year, Medicare covers an annual wellness visit. This isn’t a full physical exam but focuses on creating or updating a personalized prevention plan. During this visit, you and your doctor will discuss your current health and risk factors, and develop strategies to prevent disease based on your specific needs.
- Preventive vaccinations covered by medicare
Medicare Part B covers several preventive vaccines at no cost to you. These include the flu shot, pneumococcal vaccines, hepatitis B shots for those at increased risk, and, as of 2025, the COVID-19 vaccine. Staying up-to-date with these vaccinations is crucial for preventing serious illnesses.
- Alcohol misuse screening and counseling
If you consume alcohol, Medicare offers an annual screening to assess your drinking habits. If your doctor determines you’re misusing alcohol but aren’t dependent, you can receive up to four free counseling sessions per year to help reduce or eliminate your alcohol consumption.
- Depression screening under medicare
Mental health is as important as physical health. Medicare covers one depression screening per year. This screening must be conducted in a primary care setting that can provide follow-up treatment and referrals if necessary.
- Diabetes screening tests
Medicare will pay for a maximum of two screenings every year when you are at risk for diabetes. Risk factors include elevated blood pressure, past problems concerning cholesterol levels, obese individuals, and high blood sugar in the past. This is early detection and allows better management and outcomes.
- Colorectal cancer screenings
Starting at age 45, Medicare covers various colorectal cancer screenings. Depending on your risk factors, this could include fecal occult blood tests annually, flexible sigmoidoscopies every four years, or colonoscopies at intervals determined by your doctor. These screenings are vital for early detection and treatment.
- Annual mammograms for women over 40
For women aged 40 and above, Medicare covers a screening mammogram once every 12 months. Regular mammograms are essential for early detection of breast cancer, increasing the chances of successful treatment.
- Lung cancer screening for high-risk individuals
If you’re between 50 and 77 years old, have a history of heavy smoking, and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years, Medicare covers a yearly lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). Early detection through LDCT can improve treatment outcomes.
- Counseling for tobacco use cessation
Medicare pays for up to eight tobacco cessation counseling sessions each year, free of charge, for persons who use tobacco, regardless of whether they have a diagnosis related to a tobacco illness. Quitting tobacco alone affords a remarkable cutback in risk exposure to many health problems, including heart disease and cancer. You need to take advantage of these free services as it can significantly help you maintain and enhance your health status. Preventive measures and regular screenings form the two key pillars of a proactive health strategy.
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