With the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), you may be focused on what your coverage will look like and how much it will cost you.
From premiums and deductibles to copays and coinsurance, there are several out-of-pocket costs related to Medicare coverage, but did you know there is also a long list of free services for Medicare enrollees that won’t cost you a dime?
Check out these eight services covered by Medicare that you may be able to access as a Medicare beneficiary.
1. Annual Wellness Visit
Every new Medicare Part B enrollee can receive a free “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit. Then, 12 months after that visit, you can start getting yearly wellness visits to develop or update your personalized plan to help prevent disease or disability based on your current health and risk factors.
2. Vaccines
Certain vaccinations are always covered by Medicare Part B, including influenza, pneumococcal, hepatitis B and COVID-19.
3. Screenings
Medicare covers many screenings at no cost, including mammograms, pap tests, prostate cancer screenings, diabetes screenings, bone mass measurements, colonoscopies, depression screenings, sexually transmitted infections screenings and more.
4. Alcohol or Smoking Counseling
Counseling sessions for alcohol misuse or tobacco cessation are available for Medicare beneficiaries.
5. Nutrition Therapy
If you have diabetes or kidney disease, or you’ve had a kidney transplant in the last 36 months, Medicare Part B will cover medical nutrition therapy services for you.
6. Diabetes Management
Medicare Part B covers several diabetes services including glucose tests, prevention programs, and self-management training if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes.
7. Cardiovascular Disease Risk Therapy
Once a year, you can visit your primary care provider for cardiovascular behavioral therapy to receive advice on how to lower your risk for cardiovascular disease.
8. Obesity Screening
Medicare Part B covers obesity screenings and behavioral counseling if you have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more to help you lose weight through diet and exercise.
Visit Medicare.gov for the complete list of preventive and screening services Medicare Part B covers.
Are You Ready for the Annual Enrollment Period?
During Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), you can sign up for Original Medicare if you have not done that before, switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage (or vice versa), change Medicare Advantage plans, or change Part D prescription drug plans.
We know that navigating Medicare options can be overwhelming, but we’re here to help! Our agents are here to help you understand your options and make an informed decision that makes sense for your health needs and budget.
Want more? Check out our blog, Medicare Medigap plans explained.
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