Prevention Pays: Make the Most of Your Medicare Benefits in 2026

Medicare covers many preventive services at little or no cost, and using them—especially the Annual Wellness Visit and recommended screenings—can catch problems early and lower long‑term costs. Schedule your preventive visits now to start 2026 with a clear health plan.

Why preventive care matters

Medicare’s preventive benefits are designed to detect disease early, reduce complications, and support long‑term wellness. Many services—like the Annual Wellness Visit (AWV), certain cancer screenings, and vaccines—are covered under Part B with no deductible or coinsurance when your provider accepts Medicare assignment. Taking advantage of these benefits helps avoid more serious care later and improves quality of life.

What Medicare covers that you should use

• Annual Wellness Visit (AWV): A yearly visit to create or update a personalized

prevention plan and health risk assessment; covered once every 12 months at no

cost when billed correctly.

• Screenings and tests: Mammograms, colorectal cancer screenings, diabetes and

cardiovascular screenings, depression screening, and more—many at no cost

under Part B.

• Vaccines: Flu and COVID‑19 shots are covered under Part B; others like shingles may

be covered under Part D—check your plan for details.

• Counseling and preventive counseling services: Tobacco cessation, obesity

counseling, and other preventive counseling are available when medically

appropriate.

How preventive care benefits you personally

• Early detection saves lives. Screenings find conditions before symptoms appear,

when treatment is most effective.

• Lower out‑of‑pocket costs. Most preventive services are free if billed as preventive

and your provider accepts assignment.

• A personalized roadmap. The AWV produces a prevention plan tailored to your risks

and helps coordinate follow‑up care.

• Better care coordination. Preventive visits are an opportunity to review

medications, update immunizations, and reduce emergency visits.

Simple steps to make the most of your benefits

• Book your Annual Wellness Visit—it’s different from a routine physical and focuses

on prevention.

• Bring a current medication list and any records of past screenings.

• Confirm your provider accepts Medicare assignment to avoid surprise charges.

• Check vaccine coverage under Part B vs Part D before you go.

• Keep a preventive calendar noting when you had screenings so you don’t miss

recommended intervals.

Conclusion

Prevention is one of the most powerful tools Medicare gives you—use it. By taking advantage of covered screenings, vaccines, and your Annual Wellness Visit, you shift the focus from reacting to illness to preventing it. That means problems are more likely to be caught early, treatments are often simpler and more effective, and you avoid the stress and expense of emergency care or advanced disease management.

Using preventive benefits also gives you control. An Annual Wellness Visit creates a personalized prevention plan so you and your providers can prioritize the screenings and vaccinations that matter most for your health history. Regular preventive care keeps your medication list current, uncovers risk factors before they become crises, and makes it easier to coordinate care across specialists.

Finally, prevention pays in ways that go beyond dollars. It preserves independence, improves day‑to‑day quality of life, and brings peace of mind to you and your family. Make a plan: schedule your AWV, confirm which vaccines and screenings you’re due for, and keep a simple record of dates and results so nothing slips through the cracks.