Medicare Preventive Health Benefits

Save on many free preventive health services from Medicare. Call TN SHIP at 1-877-801-0044 for more information.
Preventive Service How Often Allowed Additional Details
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Ultrasound
Once with certain risk factors and referral from practitioner
Covered at 100%
Alcohol Misuse Screening and Counseling
Screening: Once per year
Counseling: 4 times per year for those who screen positive
Covered at 100%
Annual Wellness Visit (Not a full physical, prevention planning only)
Annually 12 months after Part B effective date
Covered at 100%
Bone Mass Measurement
Every 2 years if at risk;
More frequently if high risk
Covered at 100%
Cardiovascular Disease Screening
Once every 5 years for all beneficiaries with no signs or symptoms
Covered at 100%
Cardiovascular Disease Behavioral Therapy
One CVD risk reduction visit annually
Covered at 100%
Colorectal Cancer Screening: Screening Colonoscopy
Normal risk: Once every 10 years 
High risk: Once every 2 years
Covered at 100%
Colorectal Cancer Screening: Fecal Occult Blood Test
Every year
Covered at 100%
Colorectal Cancer Screening: Flex Sigmoidoscopy
Once every 4 years unless screening colonoscopy was performed less than 120 months prior
Covered at 100%
Colorectal Cancer Screening: Barium Enema
Once every 4 years if used instead of Flex sigmoidoscopy
You pay 20% of the
Medicare-approved
amount; deductible
waived
Colorectal Cancer Screening: sDNA Test
Once every 3 years
Covered at 100%
Depression Screening
Once per year
Covered at 100%
Diabetes Screening
One screening per year if not diagnosed pre-diabetic;
Twice per year if diagnosed pre-diabetic
Covered at 100%
Diabetes Self-Management Training
Initial training: Up to 10 hours within a 12 month period
Subsequent years: Up to 2 hours within a 12 month period
You pay 20% of the
Medicare-approved
amount after
meeting the Part B
deductible
Flu Vaccine
Once per influenza season
Covered at 100%
Glaucoma Screening
Once per year for those at risk
You pay 20% of the 
Medicare-approved 
amount after 
meeting the Part B 
deductible
Hepatitis B Vaccine
Three scheduled injections for those at medium or high risk
Covered at 100%
Hepatitis C Screening
Annually for those at high risk; or
Once in a lifetime for those born between 1945 and 1965
Covered at 100%
HIV Screening
Once per year for those at risk;
Three times per pregnancy for those who are pregnant
Covered at 100%
Initial Preventive Physical Exam (IPPE)
"Welcome to Medicare Exam"
Once for all new beneficiaries within 12 months of starting Part B
Covered at 100%
Lung Cancer Screening
Low-dose CT once per year for those who are high risk
Covered at 100%
Mammogram
Once for those aged 35-39;
Annually for those 40 and older
Covered at 100%
Medical Nutrition Therapy
First year: 3 hours of counseling;
Subsequent years: 2 hours
*For those diagnosed with diabetes, renal disease, or have had a kidney transplant
Covered at 100%
Obesity Behavior Therapy
For those with a BMI >30
First Month: one visit every week;
Months 2-6: one visit every other week;
Months 7-12: one visit every month
Covered at 100%
Pap Test and Pelvic Exam
Annually for those at high risk;
Every 2 years for normal risk
Covered at 100%
Pneumonia Vaccine
An initial vaccine and a second vaccine one year after the first was received
Covered at 100%
Prostate Cancer Screening
Annually for males 50+
PSA Covered at 100%;
DRE - You pay 20%
of Medicare
approved  amount
after meeting the
Part B  deductible
Sexually Transmitted Infection
Screening and Counseling
Annually for those at high risk;
More frequently if pregnant
Covered at 100%
Tobacco Use Cessation Counseling
Two attempts per year (each attempt includes up to four counseling sessions)
Covered at 100%

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