Does Medicare Cover Preventive Care — Complete Guide 2026
Does Medicare cover preventive care in 2026? Preventive care is one of the most valuable and most underutilized categories of Medicare benefits — and many Medicare beneficiaries do not realize how much free preventive care they are entitled to receive each year. The good news is that yes — Medicare does cover preventive care in 2026 and covers many preventive services at absolutely no cost to you with no deductible and no coinsurance. In this complete guide we explain exactly what preventive care Medicare covers in 2026 — every covered screening, every covered vaccine, wellness visits, and much more — so you can take full advantage of your Medicare preventive benefits. All information is sourced from Medicare.gov and CMS.gov.
Also Read —
- Does Medicare Cover Cancer Treatment 2026
- Does Medicare Cover Eye Exams 2026
- Medicare Annual Wellness Visit 2026
What You Will Learn — Does Medicare Cover Preventive Care
- Does Medicare cover preventive care in 2026
- The Medicare Welcome to Medicare preventive visit
- Medicare Annual Wellness Visit coverage
- Cancer screenings Medicare covers at no cost
- Cardiovascular screenings Medicare covers
- Vaccines and immunizations Medicare covers
- Mental health preventive screenings
- Alcohol and substance use screenings
- Obesity and nutrition counseling
- How much does preventive care cost with Medicare
- Frequently asked questions about Medicare preventive care 2026
Does Medicare Cover Preventive Care in 2026?
Yes — Medicare does cover preventive care in 2026 and the coverage is comprehensive. Under the Affordable Care Act Medicare Part B covers many preventive services at $0 cost — no deductible and no coinsurance — when they are provided by a Medicare-enrolled provider who accepts assignment.
Medicare preventive care coverage in 2026 includes cancer screenings, cardiovascular screenings, diabetes screenings, mental health screenings, substance abuse counseling, vaccinations, and annual wellness visits. These services are covered at $0 specifically because preventive care is one of the most effective ways to improve health outcomes and reduce long-term Medicare costs — catching conditions early when they are more treatable and less expensive.
An important note about Medicare preventive care coverage — the $0 cost-sharing applies when the visit is specifically for the covered preventive service. If you have additional health concerns addressed during a preventive visit or if the provider bills the visit as a diagnostic rather than preventive service you may be subject to standard Part B cost-sharing of 20% after your deductible. Understanding this distinction helps you avoid unexpected bills after what you thought was a free preventive visit.
Welcome to Medicare Preventive Visit
What Is the Welcome to Medicare Visit?
The Welcome to Medicare preventive visit — also called the Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE) — is a one-time visit available within the first 12 months of enrolling in Medicare Part B. This visit is covered at $0 — no deductible or coinsurance.
What Does the Welcome to Medicare Visit Include?
The Welcome to Medicare visit includes:
- Review of your medical and social history
- Review of your potential risk factors for depression
- Review of your functional ability and safety
- Measurement of your height, weight, body mass index, and blood pressure
- Simple vision test
- Review of your current prescription medications and supplements
- Education and counseling about preventive services and referrals
- A written plan — like a checklist — of the screenings and preventive services you need
Important Limitation
The Welcome to Medicare visit does not include a full physical examination — it is a preventive assessment and referral visit. If you want a comprehensive physical examination it will be billed as a diagnostic visit subject to standard Part B cost-sharing.
Medicare Annual Wellness Visit
What Is the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit?
The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) is an annual visit available to Medicare beneficiaries after their first 12 months of Part B enrollment. It is different from the Welcome to Medicare visit — which you can have only once. The Annual Wellness Visit is available every year and is covered at $0.
What Does the Annual Wellness Visit Include?
The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit in 2026 includes:
- Update of your medical and family history
- Update of your current prescription medications
- Blood pressure, height, weight, and body mass index measurement
- Assessment of cognitive function — including memory and thinking
- Review of your risk for depression and mood disorders
- Functional ability and safety assessment — fall risk screening
- Review of your advance care plan
- Development or updating of your personalized prevention plan
- Referrals for covered preventive screenings and services
Advance Care Planning at the Annual Wellness Visit
During the Annual Wellness Visit you can also discuss your advance care plan — your preferences for healthcare in case you become unable to make decisions. Advance care planning discussion at the Annual Wellness Visit is covered at $0.
Annual Wellness Visit vs Annual Physical
Many Medicare beneficiaries are confused about the difference between the Annual Wellness Visit and an annual physical examination. They are different services:
The Annual Wellness Visit — covered at $0 — is a preventive assessment focusing on health risk factors, preventive care planning, and cognitive screening. It does not include a full head-to-toe physical examination.
An annual physical examination — also called a comprehensive preventive examination — is not covered by Original Medicare and would be subject to standard Part B cost-sharing.
Cancer Screenings Medicare Covers at No Cost
Medicare covers the following cancer screenings at $0 — no deductible or coinsurance — in 2026:
Colorectal Cancer Screenings
Colonoscopy — covered once every 10 years for average-risk beneficiaries aged 50 and older. Once every 2 years for high-risk beneficiaries. $0 when the colonoscopy is purely preventive screening. Note — if a polyp is found and removed during the colonoscopy the visit may be reclassified as diagnostic and standard cost-sharing may apply under Original Medicare.
Cologuard stool DNA test — covered once every 3 years for average-risk beneficiaries aged 45 to 85. $0 cost.
Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) or fecal occult blood test (FOBT) — covered once every 12 months. $0 cost.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy — covered once every 48 months. $0 cost.
Breast Cancer Screening
Mammography — covered annually for women aged 40 and older. $0 cost. Medicare also covers a baseline mammogram for women aged 35 to 39 — once as a baseline study.
Cervical Cancer Screening
Pap smear and pelvic examination — covered once every 24 months for average-risk women. Once every 12 months for high-risk women or women of childbearing age who have had an abnormal Pap in the past 36 months. $0 cost.
Prostate Cancer Screening
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test — covered annually for men aged 50 and older. $0 cost.
Lung Cancer Screening
Low-dose CT scan for lung cancer — covered annually for Medicare beneficiaries who meet all of the following:
- Aged 50 to 77
- Current smoker or quit within the past 15 years
- Have a 20 pack-year smoking history
- Receive a written order from a physician or qualified practitioner
- $0 cost
Cardiovascular Screenings Medicare Covers
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Screening
Medicare covers cardiovascular disease risk reduction visits for beneficiaries with no signs of cardiovascular disease — two visits per year with a primary care provider to receive intensive behavioral counseling for cardiovascular disease risk reduction. $0 cost.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
Medicare covers a one-time ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm for Medicare beneficiaries who:
- Have a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Or are men aged 65 to 75 who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime
- $0 cost — covered once
Cardiovascular Blood Tests
Medicare covers blood tests for cardiovascular disease screening once every 5 years:
- Lipid panel — total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides
- $0 cost
Diabetes Screening and Prevention
Diabetes Screening Tests
Medicare covers up to 2 fasting glucose tests per year for beneficiaries at risk for diabetes. Risk factors include:
- High blood pressure
- History of abnormal cholesterol or triglycerides
- Obesity — BMI of 30 or higher
- History of high blood glucose
- Family history of diabetes
- $0 cost
Diabetes Prevention Program
Medicare covers the Diabetes Prevention Program — a structured lifestyle change program for beneficiaries at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes who have prediabetes. The program includes:
- At least 16 core sessions in the first 6 months
- At least 6 follow-up sessions in months 7 to 12
- Ongoing maintenance sessions
- $0 cost — fully covered for qualifying beneficiaries
To qualify you must have a hemoglobin A1c between 5.7% and 6.4% or a fasting glucose between 110 and 125 mg/dL, be overweight with a BMI of 25 or higher (23 or higher if Asian-American), and not have been previously diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
Vaccines and Immunizations Medicare Covers
Medicare covers the following vaccines and immunizations at $0 in 2026:
Influenza (Flu) Vaccine
Medicare Part B covers one flu shot per flu season — $0 cost. Medicare also covers a second flu shot in the same season if a different formulation becomes available for high-risk beneficiaries.
Pneumococcal Vaccines
Medicare Part B covers two types of pneumococcal vaccine:
- PCV15 or PCV20 — pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
- PPSV23 — pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine
- $0 cost for both recommended pneumococcal vaccines
COVID-19 Vaccines
Medicare Part B covers COVID-19 vaccines and boosters recommended by the CDC. $0 cost.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
Medicare Part B covers Hepatitis B vaccines for Medicare beneficiaries at medium or high risk for Hepatitis B infection. $0 cost.
Vaccines Under Medicare Part D
Several other vaccines are covered under Medicare Part D rather than Part B — still at $0 or minimal cost for most beneficiaries:
- Shingles vaccine (Shingrix) — strongly recommended for adults 50 and older — covered under Part D at $0 for most beneficiaries
- Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) — covered under Part D
- Other ACIP-recommended vaccines — covered under Part D
Mental Health Preventive Screenings
Depression Screening
Medicare Part B covers an annual depression screening during:
- Welcome to Medicare visit
- Annual Wellness Visit
- As a standalone screening with a primary care provider
$0 cost — no deductible or coinsurance.
Alcohol and Substance Use Screenings
Alcohol Misuse Screening and Counseling
Medicare Part B covers annual alcohol misuse screening for all Medicare beneficiaries. For beneficiaries who screen positive for alcohol misuse Medicare covers up to 4 brief counseling sessions per year — each up to 15 minutes. $0 cost.
Tobacco Use Cessation Counseling
Medicare Part B covers up to 8 tobacco cessation counseling sessions per year for Medicare beneficiaries who use tobacco:
- Up to 4 cessation counseling sessions per quit attempt
- Up to 2 quit attempts per year
- $0 cost
Obesity and Nutrition Counseling
Obesity Screening and Counseling
Medicare Part B covers intensive behavioral counseling for obesity — up to 22 visits in the first year — for Medicare beneficiaries with a BMI of 30 or higher. $0 cost when provided in primary care settings.
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Medicare Part B covers medical nutrition therapy — dietary counseling by a registered dietitian — for beneficiaries with:
- Diabetes — 3 hours in the first year, 2 hours annually thereafter
- Kidney disease (non-dialysis) — same coverage levels
- $0 cost when referred by a physician
Other Important Preventive Services Medicare Covers
Glaucoma Screening
Annual glaucoma screening for high-risk beneficiaries including people with diabetes, African Americans aged 50 and older, Hispanic Americans aged 65 and older, and those with family history of glaucoma. $0 cost for high-risk patients.
STI Screening
Medicare covers sexually transmitted infection screenings including HIV, Hepatitis C, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis for at-risk beneficiaries. $0 cost.
Hepatitis C Screening
Medicare covers one-time Hepatitis C screening for adults born between 1945 and 1965 and annual screening for those at high risk. $0 cost.
Bone Mass Measurement
Medicare covers bone density testing once every 24 months for women and men at risk for osteoporosis. $0 cost.
How Much Does Preventive Care Cost with Medicare?
$0 Cost for Covered Preventive Services
When received from a Medicare-enrolled provider who accepts assignment all covered preventive services are provided at $0 — no deductible, no coinsurance, no copay.
Important Billing Distinction
If during a preventive visit your provider addresses additional medical problems or the visit is billed as diagnostic rather than preventive standard Part B cost-sharing applies — 20% after the $257 annual deductible. To ensure your preventive visit is billed correctly:
- Be clear with your provider that you are there for a covered preventive service
- Ask your provider to bill the visit as preventive not diagnostic
- If you have additional concerns consider scheduling a separate visit for those issues
Medicare Advantage Preventive Care
Medicare Advantage plans must cover all preventive services that Original Medicare covers at $0. Many Medicare Advantage plans offer additional preventive benefits beyond Original Medicare including more comprehensive health screenings, wellness programs, and disease management support.
Frequently Asked Questions — Does Medicare Cover Preventive Care
Does Medicare cover preventive care in 2026?
Yes — Medicare Part B covers a comprehensive range of preventive services at $0 including cancer screenings, cardiovascular screenings, diabetes screenings and prevention, vaccines, mental health screenings, alcohol and tobacco counseling, obesity counseling, and Annual Wellness Visits. These services are provided at no cost when received from a Medicare-enrolled provider accepting assignment.
Does Medicare cover an annual physical?
Medicare does not cover a traditional head-to-toe annual physical examination at $0. However Medicare does cover the Annual Wellness Visit at $0 — which includes health risk assessments, preventive planning, cognitive screening, and referrals for preventive services. If you want a comprehensive physical examination it will be subject to standard Part B cost-sharing.
What vaccines does Medicare cover at no cost?
Medicare Part B covers flu, pneumococcal, COVID-19, and Hepatitis B vaccines at $0. Medicare Part D covers shingles (Shingrix), Tdap, and other ACIP-recommended vaccines — also at $0 for most beneficiaries.
Does Medicare cover colonoscopy at no cost?
Medicare covers screening colonoscopy once every 10 years for average-risk beneficiaries at $0. Note — if a polyp is found and removed during the colonoscopy under Original Medicare the visit may be reclassified as therapeutic and standard cost-sharing may apply. Many Medicare Advantage plans cover colonoscopy at $0 even if polyps are removed — check your specific plan.
How is the Annual Wellness Visit different from an annual physical?
The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is a preventive assessment covered at $0 that includes health risk review, cognitive screening, fall risk assessment, medication review, and preventive care planning. An annual physical is a comprehensive examination not covered at $0 by Original Medicare. The Annual Wellness Visit does not include a full physical examination.
Summary — Does Medicare Cover Preventive Care 2026
Does Medicare cover preventive care in 2026? Yes — Medicare provides comprehensive preventive care coverage at $0 including cancer screenings, cardiovascular screenings, diabetes prevention, vaccines, mental health screenings, substance abuse counseling, obesity counseling, and annual wellness visits. These $0 preventive benefits are among the most valuable in all of Medicare — helping beneficiaries catch health problems early when they are most treatable.
Every Medicare beneficiary should take full advantage of their covered preventive services — schedule your Annual Wellness Visit, keep current on cancer screenings, get your flu and pneumococcal vaccines, and ask your doctor about which preventive services you are due for based on your age and risk factors.
For free help understanding your Medicare preventive care benefits contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at shiphelp.org or call Medicare free at 1-800-633-4227.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor and verify current Medicare preventive care coverage at Medicare.gov.
Sources: Medicare.gov | CMS.gov | SSA.gov | AARP.org
Last updated: April 2026 | Author: James Carter, Independent Medicare Research Analyst
