INDIANA – Healthcare experts are urging Medicare beneficiaries to take full advantage of a suite of “zero-cost” preventive services designed to catch health issues before they become emergencies.
With the 2026 Medicare Part B premium now set at $202.90, ensuring you receive the full value of your coverage is more important than ever. Preventive care—ranging from annual wellness exams to life-saving cancer screenings—is often available with no out-of-pocket costs, provided you see a provider who accepts Medicare assignment.
Preventive services are classified as care that prevents illness (like vaccines) or detects it early (like screenings). Key services covered under Medicare Part B for 2026 include:
- Annual Wellness Visit: A yearly “health roadmap” meeting with your doctor to develop or update a personalized prevention plan.
- Cancer Screenings: Coverage includes mammograms (every 12 months for women over 40), colonoscopies (intervals vary by risk), and prostate cancer screenings.
- Vaccinations: $0 cost-sharing for the Flu shot, COVID-19 vaccines, Pneumococcal (pneumonia) shots, and Hepatitis B shots for those at increased risk.
- Mental Health & Lifestyle: Annual depression screenings, alcohol misuse counseling, and obesity behavioral therapy for those with a BMI of 30 or higher.
Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare
While the core preventive benefits are standard across the board, the way you access them may differ depending on your plan:
- Original Medicare: You can see any doctor in the country that accepts Medicare. You can log into your secure Medicare.gov account at any time to see a personalized “Prevention Calendar” showing which screenings you are currently eligible for.
- Medicare Advantage (Part C): These private plans must cover all the same preventive services as Original Medicare at $0 cost-sharing. However, many 2026 plans offer “extra” benefits such as fitness memberships (SilverSneakers), dental cleanings, or even transportation to appointments. Members should contact their specific plan provider for a 2026 Evidence of Coverage (EOC) booklet.
An ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure in the 2026 healthcare landscape. “Early detection not only saves lives but also protects seniors from the high costs of emergency room visits and inpatient hospital deductibles, which have risen to $1,736 per benefit period this year.
How to Check Your Eligibility
- Log In: Visit Medicare.gov and sign in to your secure portal.
- Review the List: Look for the “Preventive Services” tab to see your personal history.
- Schedule: Call your primary care physician to schedule your Annual Wellness Visit. Note: This is different from a routine physical; it focuses specifically on your prevention plan.
For Indiana residents needing local, unbiased assistance with their 2026 benefits, Indiana SHIP counselors are available at 1-800-452-4800.
