Medicare covers a long list of preventive services at no cost to you. Zero copay, zero deductible, zero coinsurance. Many seniors do not know about half of them. Here is the full list of what you can get for $0 in 2026, and how to make sure you are taking advantage of every one.
Why preventive care is free
The federal government decided years ago that preventing problems is cheaper than treating them. So Medicare Part B covers a long list of preventive services with no cost share for the patient. As long as you see a Medicare-approved provider and the visit is coded as preventive, you pay nothing.
The trick is that the visit has to be coded correctly. If a screening turns into treatment, you may owe your normal copay. Knowing exactly what is covered helps you and your doctor stay on the right side of the line.
The Annual Wellness Visit
This is the most overlooked free benefit in Medicare. Every member gets one wellness visit per year at no cost. It is different from a yearly physical (which is usually not free under Medicare).
The Annual Wellness Visit covers:
- A review of your medical and family history
- Height, weight, blood pressure, and other vitals
- A cognitive screening for memory loss
- A risk assessment for depression, fall risk, and home safety
- A personalized prevention plan
- Advance care planning, if you want it
Ask for "the Annual Wellness Visit" by name when you schedule. If you ask for "a physical" or "a checkup," you may end up with a billable visit.
Free cancer screenings
Medicare covers a long list of cancer screenings at 100%:
- Mammograms: One screening every 12 months for women 40 and older
- Cervical and vaginal cancer screening: Pap test and pelvic exam every 24 months (yearly for higher-risk women)
- Colorectal cancer screening: Fecal occult blood test yearly, multi-target stool DNA test every 3 years, or colonoscopy every 10 years (every 2 years if high risk). The screening colonoscopy is free; if they remove a polyp during the screening, you may owe a small coinsurance.
- Prostate cancer screening: PSA test once every 12 months for men 50 and older
- Lung cancer screening: Yearly low-dose CT scan for current or former smokers between 50 and 77 who meet certain criteria
Free vaccines
Medicare covers these vaccines at no cost:
- Flu shot (yearly)
- COVID-19 vaccine
- Pneumonia vaccines (one or two doses, depending on which vaccine and your age)
- Hepatitis B (for medium-to-high risk patients)
- Shingles vaccine (RZV / Shingrix), thanks to changes in 2023
- RSV vaccine for adults 60 and older
- Tdap booster (every 10 years)
The flu, COVID, and pneumonia shots are covered under Part B at no cost. Shingles, RSV, and Tdap are covered under Part D, also at no cost share for most plans.
Free heart and stroke prevention
- Cardiovascular disease screening: Cholesterol, lipid, and triglyceride tests once every 5 years
- Cardiovascular behavioral therapy: One face-to-face visit per year with your primary care doctor to discuss aspirin use, blood pressure, and diet
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening: A one-time ultrasound for certain people at risk
Free diabetes prevention and screening
- Diabetes screening: Up to 2 blood sugar tests per year if you are at risk
- Diabetes Prevention Program: A free 12-month structured program for people at risk for type 2 diabetes. Once-in-a-lifetime benefit.
- Diabetes self-management training: Up to 10 hours in the first year and 2 hours per year after for diabetics, helping you manage diet, blood sugar, and complications
- Medical nutrition therapy: For people with diabetes or kidney disease, with a doctor referral
Free bone density and osteoporosis screening
Medicare covers a bone mass measurement every 24 months for women estrogen deficient, men with vertebral problems, and a few other higher-risk groups. The test itself is free.
Free mental health screenings
- Depression screening: Once per year in a primary care setting
- Alcohol misuse screening: Once per year, plus up to 4 short counseling sessions if needed
- HIV screening: Once per year for anyone who asks, plus up to 3 times per year for higher-risk patients
Free counseling
- Smoking cessation counseling: Up to 8 visits per year
- Obesity counseling: Up to 14 face-to-face sessions in the first 6 months if your BMI is 30 or higher
- Sexually transmitted infection screening and counseling: For higher-risk patients
What is not free
This is where people get tripped up. Some things sound preventive but are not. A few common ones:
- A "physical" or "annual exam": A traditional head-to-toe exam is not covered. The free Annual Wellness Visit is different. Ask for the Annual Wellness Visit by name.
- Diagnostic tests: If a screening turns up something concerning and the doctor orders follow-up tests, those are diagnostic and you owe normal cost share.
- Eye exams for glasses: Original Medicare does not cover routine eye exams. Some Medicare Advantage plans do.
- Dental cleanings: Original Medicare does not cover routine dental. Some Medicare Advantage plans do.
For a deeper look at what is and is not covered, see our article on dental, vision, and hearing coverage.
How to use these benefits
Make a list of every screening you might be eligible for based on your age and risk factors. Bring the list to your Annual Wellness Visit (which itself is free) and ask the doctor what they recommend ordering. Spread the screenings out over the year. Most people skip multiple free benefits a year without realizing.
If your doctor pushes back on ordering any of these, ask why. They may have a clinical reason, or they may be unsure if it is covered. The full list is at Medicare.gov under "preventive and screening services."
The bottom line
Medicare gives you a long list of free preventive services every year. Many seniors use only the flu shot and call it a day. The full list is worth $500 to $2,000 a year in care you are already paying for through your premium. Use it.