The purpose of preventive care services is to help reduce the risk and impact of medical conditions through early detection and treatment. Health care consumers benefit greatly from early diagnoses because treatment can take place earlier, before a condition can exacerbate. Whether you are enrolled in Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage, your plan will include various preventive services such as screening tests, lab tests, immunizations and counseling. Let’s explore the types of covered preventive care services and any eligibility rules you should take into consideration when seeking such services.
Preventive Care Screenings and Lab Tests Covered Under Medicare
Medicare Part B, which provides outpatient medical coverage, covers the cost of many preventive screenings. If you’re not sure whether a screening is covered under your Medicare plan, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor. Some of the most common screenings covered are for the following types of conditions:
- Cancers
- STIs
- Depression
- Cardiovascular diseases
Your Medicare benefits also cover several types of preventive lab tests designed to detect common conditions, infections or diseases. These can include lab tests to identify:
- Blood infections
- Diabetes or other metabolic disorders
- Eye diseases
Averting serious health problems by identifying such risks and issues early is essential, which is why Medicare beneficiaries should be fully aware of the preventive services and care available to them. For a full list of preventive screenings and lab tests covered under Medicare, click here.
When you want to look after your health, Medicare coverage for preventive screenings and lab tests like these can make all the difference.
Immunizations Covered Under Medicare
When it comes to preventive health care, vaccinations are about as preventive as it gets. Immunizations protect you and others by preventing the spread of serious infectious diseases, which is why maintaining up-to-date vaccinations is important. Vaccines are necessary parts of an effective preventive health plan that can help increase life expectancy and reduce the chances of epidemics. Fortunately, Medicare covers the cost of many important vaccinations. The immunizations covered under Medicare include:
- COVID-19 vaccines
- Flu shots
- Hepatitis B shots
- Pneumococcal shots
If you’re unsure whether a vaccine or booster is covered under your current Medicare plan, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor. Vaccines are essential in preventing the contraction of deadly diseases, so make sure you understand which of the vaccines you need are covered under Medicare.
Counseling and Additional Preventive Services
Medicare covers annual wellness visits with your primary care physician to ensure your continued health. If you are a smoker, you now have access to counseling and tobacco cessation programs to help you quit. If you have a history of alcohol abuse, Medicare covers counseling for alcoholism as well. In addition to screenings for sexually transmitted infections, when diagnosed positive, Medicare covers counseling to help manage and treat such conditions. Medicare also covers counseling for obesity, therapy for proper nutrition and self-management training programs for diabetics.
Eligibility Requirements
While a large number of preventive services are covered under Medicare, it’s important to note that you may have to meet certain eligibility requirements in order to qualify for this coverage. For some procedures, requirements could include certain risk factors such as age, family health history, medication usage or diagnosed symptoms. Other screening or lab test services may only be covered under your Medicare plan once in a lifetime. In addition, there may be a waiting period before you’re eligible for specific preventive health services coverage under Medicare, such as how many times in one year you’re able to receive a specific service.
It’s important to know what preventive services are covered under Medicare in order to keep yourself healthy. Take advantage of the services that are available to you so that you can remain in good health and make the most out of your Medicare coverage. If you have any additional questions about your Medicare coverage, navigating preventive diagnostic services costs or more, contact Medicare Portal today. Our team of local Medicare insurance agents are available online, over the phone and in-person to help you with all your Medicare questions and needs.
