First, let’s define preventive services. These are crucial medical services that help detect and prevent health issues before they become more severe. Early detection through preventive services can optimize the effectiveness of treatment regimens and safeguard patients against specific illnesses.
Medicare Part B, often referred to as Medical Insurance, is one of the two main components of the Original Medicare program in the United States. It helps cover a wide range of medically necessary services and preventive care to assist beneficiaries in maintaining their health and managing medical conditions.
Here are some of the services and items that Medicare Part B typically covers: Medicare may cover some services and tests more often than the timeframes associated and needed to diagnose or treat a condition. The list of covered preventive services is extensive. I will discuss some of the more frequently utilized ones that my Medicare beneficiaries often mention. To find out if Medicare covers a service that is not on this list or for more on Part-B covered services, visit Medicare.gov/coverage.
- Alcohol misuse screenings & counseling
- Ambulance Services
- Ambulatory Surgical Centers
- Bariatric Surgery
- Bone Mass Measurements
- Cardia Rehabilitation
- Cardiovascular behavioral therapy and disease screenings
- Cervical & vaginal cancer screenings
- Chiropractic services
- Chronic Care management services
- Chronic pain management
- Cognitive assessment & care plan services
- Colorectal cancer screenings
- Tobacco cessation counseling
- Covid-19 vaccines
- Depression screening
- Diabetes screening
- Durable medical equipment
- EKG/ECG Screenings
- Flu shots
- Glaucoma screenings
- Hearing & balance exams
- Kidney dialysis services
- Lung cancer screenings
- Mammograms
- Obesity behavioral therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Outpatient hospital services
- Prostate cancer screenings
- Urgently needed care
- Yearly “Wellness” visit
It is crucial to understand that Medicare Part B offers coverage for a wide range of services. For most covered preventive services, there are no out-of-pocket costs when you receive them from a healthcare provider who accepts assignment. Nevertheless, certain preventive services may entail deductibles, coinsurance, or a combination of both. These expenses may also apply if you receive a preventive service during the same visit as a non-preventive service. If you are uncertain about the specifics, we recommend consulting with your healthcare provider, insurance agent, or visiting Medicare.gov to explore the available options and ensure you are well-informed.