Preventative Services

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening

A one-time screening ultrasound for people at risk. Medicare only covers this screening if you get a referral for it as a result of your one-time “Welcome to Medicare” physical exam. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.

Bone Mass Measurement

Helps to see if you are at risk for broken bones. This service is covered once every 24 months (more often if medically necessary) for people who have certain medical conditions or meet certain criteria. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, and the Part B deductible applies.

Cardiovascular Screenings

Helps detect conditions that may lead to a heart attack or stroke. This service is covered every 5 years to test your cholesterol, lipid, and triglyceride levels. No cost for the test, but you generally have to pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the doctor’s visit.

Colon Cancer Screening (Colorectal)

Colorectal cancer is usually found in people age 50 or older, and the risk of getting it increases with age. Medicare covers colorectal screening tests to help find pre-cancerous polyps (growths in the colon) so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Treatment works best when colorectal cancer is found early.

Diabetes Screenings

Checks for diabetes. These screenings are covered if you have any of the following risk factors: high blood pressure (hypertension), history of abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels (dyslipidemia), obesity, or a history of high blood sugar (glucose). Tests are also covered if you answer yes to two or more of the following questions:

• Are you age 65 or older?
• Are you overweight?
• Do you have a family history of diabetes (parents, siblings)?
• Do you have a history of gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy), or did you deliver a baby weighing more than 9 pounds?

Based on the results of these tests, you may be eligible for up to two diabetes screenings every year. No cost for the test, but you generally have to pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the doctor’s visit.

Diabetes Self-Management Training

For people with diabetes. Your doctor or other health care provider must provide a written order. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, and the Part B deductible applies.

EKG Screening

Medicare covers a one-time screening EKG if you get a referral for it as a result of your one-time “Welcome to Medicare” physical exam. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, and the Part B deductible applies. An EKG is also covered as a diagnostic test.

Flu Shots

Helps prevent influenza or flu virus. Covered once a flu season in the fall or winter. You need a flu shot for the current virus each year. No cost to you for the flu shot if the doctor accepts assignment for giving the shot.

Glaucoma Tests

Helps find the eye disease glaucoma. Covered once every 12 months for people at high risk for glaucoma. You are considered high risk for glaucoma if you have diabetes, a family history of glaucoma, are African-American and age 50 or older, or are Hispanic and age 65 or older. An eye doctor who is legally authorized by the state must do the tests. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, and the Part B deductible applies.

Hepatitis B Shots

Helps protect people from getting Hepatitis B. This is covered for people at high or medium risk for Hepatitis B. Your risk for Hepatitis B increases if you have hemophilia, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or a condition that increases your risk for infection. Other factors may increase your risk for Hepatitis B, so check with your doctor. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, and the Part B deductible applies.

HIV Screening

Medicare covers HIV screening for people with Medicare who are pregnant and people at increased risk for the infection, including anyone who asks for the test.

Breast Cancer Screening (Mammograms)

A type of X-ray to check women for breast cancer before they or their doctor may be able to find it. Medicare covers screening mammograms once every 12 months for all women with Medicare age 40 and older. Medicare covers one baseline mammogram for women between ages 35–39. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.

Medical Nutrition Therapy Services

Medicare may cover medical nutrition therapy and certain related services if you have diabetes or kidney disease, or you have had a kidney transplant in the last 36 months, and your doctor refers you for the service. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, and the Part B deductible applies.

Cervical and Vaginal Cancer Screening (Pap Test and Pelvic Exam)

Checks for cervical, vaginal, and breast cancers. Medicare covers these screening tests once every 24 months, or once every 12 months for women at high risk, and for women of child-bearing age who have had an exam that indicated cancer or other abnormalities in the past 3 years. No cost to you for the Pap lab test. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for Pap test specimen collection, and pelvic and breast exams.

Welcome to Medicare Physical Exam (one-time physical exam)

A one-time review of your health, and education and counseling about preventative services, including certain screenings, shots, and referrals for other care if needed. Medicare will cover this exam if you get it within the first 12 months you have Part B. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. When you make your appointment, let your doctor’s office know that you would like to schedule your “Welcome to Medicare” physical exam.

Pneumococcal Shot

Helps prevent pneumococcal infections (like certain types of pneumonia). Most people only need this preventative shot once in their lifetime. Talk with your doctor. No cost if the doctor or supplier accepts assignment for giving the shot.

Prostate Cancer Screenings

Helps detect prostate cancer. Medicare covers a digital rectal exam and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test once every 12 months for all men with Medicare over age 50. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, and the Part B deductible applies for the doctor’s visit. You pay nothing for the PSA test.

Smoking Cessation (counseling to stop smoking)

Includes up to 8 face-to-face visits in a 12-month period if you are diagnosed with an illness caused or complicated by tobacco use, or you take a medicine that is affected by tobacco. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, and the Part B deductible applies.

Preventative Services Demonstration

Senior Risk Reduction Demonstration

With its partners, Pfizer Health Solutions and StayWell Health Management, the Medicare program is sponsoring a demonstration program to help randomly selected beneficiaries learn about their health risks and take steps to better manage their health. Under the program names, “Staying Healthy USA” and “Medicare Stay Healthy”, Pfizer and StayWell provide health questionnaires, tailored health reports, customized educational materials, health counseling, self-management tools and referrals to national and local community resources to demonstration participants. The program will run through April 30, 2012.