Does Medicare cover an annual physical exam?

Medicare does not cover a traditional annual physical. However, it does cover the Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) each year and the one-time Welcome to Medicare Preventive Visit. These are preventive reviews, not physicals, and do not include a head-to-toe physical examination.

Are preventive services covered under Medicare Advantage?

Yes. Medicare Advantage plans must cover all Medicare-required preventive services at no cost when you use in-network providers. Some plans offer additional preventive benefits beyond what Original Medicare requires.

What if my doctor recommends a preventive service that Medicare does not cover?

You will be responsible for the cost. Ask your provider in advance whether a recommended service is covered by Medicare as preventive. You can also check the Medicare coverage tool at medicare.gov.

Does Medicare cover an annual physical exam?

Medicare does not cover a traditional annual physical. However, it does cover the Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) each year and the one-time Welcome to Medicare Preventive Visit. These are preventive reviews, not physicals, and do not include a head-to-toe physical examination.

Are preventive services covered under Medicare Advantage?

Yes. Medicare Advantage plans must cover all Medicare-required preventive services at no cost when you use in-network providers. Some plans offer additional preventive benefits beyond what Original Medicare requires.

What if my doctor recommends a preventive service that Medicare does not cover?

You will be responsible for the cost. Ask your provider in advance whether a recommended service is covered by Medicare as preventive. You can also check the Medicare coverage tool at medicare.gov.

Medicare Preventive Services: What Is Covered at No Cost (2026)

Medicare Part B covers a broad range of preventive services at no cost to you when you see a participating provider and the service is billed as preventive. This means no deductible and no coinsurance for covered preventive care. The goal is to catch health problems early, before they become more serious and more expensive to treat.

No Cost Only When Billed as Preventive

If your provider addresses a new or existing medical problem during the same visit as a preventive service, the treatment portion may be billed separately and subject to standard cost-sharing. Always confirm with your provider how the visit will be billed.

Cancer Screenings

Medicare-Covered Cancer Screenings

Screening	Frequency	Who Is Eligible
Colorectal cancer (colonoscopy)	Every 10 years (every 2 years if high risk)	All Medicare beneficiaries age 45+
Colorectal cancer (stool-based tests)	Annually	All Medicare beneficiaries age 45+
Mammogram (breast cancer)	Annually	Women age 40+
Cervical and vaginal cancer (Pap test)	Every 24 months (every 12 months if high risk)	Women of appropriate age
Prostate cancer (PSA test)	Annually	Men age 50+
Lung cancer (low-dose CT scan)	Annually	Adults 50-77 who are current or former smokers meeting specific criteria

Cardiovascular and Diabetes Screenings

Cardiovascular and Diabetes Preventive Services

Service	Frequency	Notes
Cardiovascular disease screenings (cholesterol, lipids)	Every 5 years	Blood test; no cost when ordered as preventive
Cardiovascular behavioral therapy	Once per year	For those with cardiovascular disease risk factors
Diabetes screening (fasting blood glucose)	Up to 2 per year	For those at risk for diabetes
Diabetes self-management training	Up to 10 hours initially; 2 hours/year after	For those with diabetes diagnosis
Medical nutrition therapy	Varies	For diabetes or kidney disease

Mental Health and Cognitive Screenings

Medicare covers annual depression screenings at no cost in a primary care setting. Cognitive impairment assessments are also covered as part of the Annual Wellness Visit. If your provider identifies a concern during a screening, follow-up treatment visits may have standard cost-sharing.

Vaccines Covered by Medicare

Medicare-Covered Vaccines

Vaccine	Coverage	Notes
Flu (influenza)	Part B, no cost	Once per flu season
COVID-19	Part B, no cost	Recommended doses as authorized
Pneumococcal (pneumonia)	Part B, no cost	Two different vaccines recommended
Hepatitis B	Part B, no cost	For medium- to high-risk individuals
Shingles (Shingrix)	Part D	Covered under drug benefit, not Part B
Tdap/Td (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)	Part D	Covered under drug benefit
RSV vaccine	Part B, no cost	For adults 60+

Medicare Preventive Services Guide

Cancer Screenings

Cardiovascular and Diabetes Screenings

Mental Health and Cognitive Screenings

Vaccines Covered by Medicare

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