What is Free Under Medicare?
Good news: many preventive screenings, vaccines, and counseling services are free to you.
Retirees enrolled in Medicare can take advantage of a wide range of completely free services and benefits designed to help them stay healthy and manage risks early. These free offerings typically fall under Medicare Part A (hospital coverage) and Medicare Part B (medical coverage), and many are also available through Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans.
Premium-Free Medicare Part A
Most retirees qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while working. This covers inpatient hospital stays, short-term skilled nursing care, hospice, and some home health services without a monthly premium for eligible retirees.
Free Annual Wellness and Preventive Visits
Under Medicare Part B, retirees can schedule:
- A “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit in their first year of enrollment, which includes a review of medical history, preventive counseling, and basic exams.
- A free Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) once every 12 months after the first year, to update their personal health plan, assess cognitive health, and discuss preventive strategies. This visit is free if the doctor accepts Medicare assignment.
No-Cost Preventive Screenings
Medicare Part B fully covers dozens of preventive screenings when medically appropriate and performed by a Medicare-accepting provider, including:
- Cancer screenings: mammograms, colorectal cancer tests, Pap smears, prostate cancer screenings, and lung cancer scans for qualified individuals.
- Cardiovascular screenings: cholesterol, lipid, and triglyceride tests every five years.
- Diabetes and obesity screenings: blood sugar and body mass index checks, with behavioral therapy available for obesity management.
- Bone density testing for osteoporosis (especially in postmenopausal women).
- Hepatitis, HIV, and STI screenings as recommended based on risk factors.
All services are free when eligibility and timing requirements are met.
Free Immunizations
Vaccines are another important category of no-cost Medicare services. As of 2025:
- Flu (annually), pneumococcal, Hepatitis B (for at-risk individuals), and COVID-19 vaccines are covered under Part B.
- Shingles (Shingrix), RSV, Tdap, and Hepatitis A vaccines are covered under Part D drug plans, with no copays starting in 2025 thanks to Inflation Reduction Act provisions.
Free Counseling and Wellness Programs
Medicare also pays in full for selected preventive counseling services, including:
- Tobacco cessation counseling for current smokers.
- Alcohol misuse counseling for those at risk.
- Nutrition therapy and diabetes self-management training for eligible individuals.
These services promote behavioral and lifestyle improvements without any deductible or coinsurance when provided by Medicare-approved professionals.
Extra Help and Savings Programs
Retirees with limited income may qualify for Medicare Savings Programs, which can pay Part A and B premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance costs. Additionally, the Extra Help subsidy program under Medicare Part D can make prescription drugs nearly free for low-income seniors.
Summary Table: What’s Free Under Original Medicare
| Category | Examples of Free Services | Covered Under |
| Hospital Coverage | Inpatient stays (if eligible) | Part A |
| Preventive Visits | “Welcome to Medicare” and Annual Wellness Visits | Part B |
| Screenings | Cancer, heart, diabetes, bone density | Part B |
| Vaccines | Flu, pneumonia, shingles, COVID-19 | Parts B & D |
| Counseling | Smoking cessation, nutrition, alcohol misuse | Part B |
| Financial Help | Medicare Savings & Extra Help programs | Income-based |
Medicare’s no-cost benefits form an essential foundation of wellness for retirees, helping them maintain independence and detect health concerns early—without adding to their monthly costs. Seniors should review their Medicare & You handbook or visit Medicare.gov annually to stay updated on new or expanded free services.
Sources: Background research for this article draws on studies and resources from Medicare Preventive and Screening Services (Medicare.gov) and Your Guide to Medicare Preventive Services (CMS Publication No. 10110, 2025 edition)
