Free preventive services under Medicare
Published 1:30 am Sunday, August 9, 2026
Many Medicare beneficiaries don’t realize Medicare covers a range of free preventive services. When received from a Medicare-enrolled provider, there’s no deductible or copay. Covered services include vaccines for those over 65, annual wellness exams, mammograms, prostate cancer screenings, depression screening, glaucoma and macular degeneration checks, bone density scans every two years, cardiovascular screenings every five years, cervical and vaginal cancer screenings every two years and colon cancer screenings (every 10 years for colonoscopies, more often for other methods).
Additional screenings are free if your provider determines you’re at risk for a related condition. Medicare also covers training to manage certain health conditions when needed.
Trained volunteer counselors can answer your Medicare questions and explain these benefits.
SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors), sponsored by Orcas Senior Center, is a free, unbiased and confidential informational service offered through the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Contact the San Juan Island SHIBA office at 360-375-0292 to schedule a counseling session.
