Preventive Services Covered by Medicare in MO

Staying ahead of health problems is a top priority for many people on Medicare. Fortunately, Medicare offers a wide range of preventive services such as exams, screenings, vaccines, and counseling, all designed to help you stay healthy and detect issues early, often with no out-of-pocket cost. If you live in Missouri, where access to Medicare-approved providers can vary depending on your region, understanding what is covered and how to use these benefits can help you make the most of your plan and protect your health.

What Are Preventive Services?

Preventive services are health care services that help identify health problems early, keep you healthy, or reduce your risk for certain diseases. Under Medicare Part B, many preventive services are available with no coinsurance or deductible, as long as your provider accepts Medicare assignment.

These services include routine exams, lab tests, screenings, counseling, and vaccinations. Instead of waiting until a health issue becomes serious, preventive care gives you and your doctor the information you need to create a long-term plan based on your health history, lifestyle, and risk factors. Beneficiaries in Missouri often find these visits especially helpful for coordinating care with local clinics and specialists.

Key Preventive Services Covered by Medicare

Welcome to Medicare Visit

When you first enroll in Part B, you can receive a one-time “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit within your first 12 months. This appointment includes a review of your medical and social history, a simple vision test, your BMI calculation, and recommendations for future screenings and vaccinations. If you live in Missouri, your provider must accept Medicare assignment for this visit to be fully covered.

Annual Wellness Visit

After your first year, Medicare covers a yearly wellness visit where you and your provider will create or update a personalized prevention plan. This includes a health risk assessment, a review of your medical and family history, and sometimes a cognitive evaluation. Medicare covers this every 12 months at no cost as long as the provider accepts assignment, which may vary based on location within Missouri.

Screenings and Tests

Medicare covers a wide range of screenings to help detect diseases early. Some commonly covered screenings include:

• Cardiovascular disease screenings

• Bone mass measurements

• Colorectal cancer screenings, including colonoscopies and fecal tests

• Cervical and vaginal cancer screenings

• Depression screening

• HIV and Hepatitis C screenings

• Lung cancer screening for eligible individuals

Many screening locations in Missouri participate in Medicare’s preventive care program, making it easier for beneficiaries to access these services close to home.

Counseling and Behavioral Services

Medicare also covers several preventive counseling services, including alcohol misuse screening, cardiovascular behavioral therapy, and medical nutrition therapy for conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease. Depending on where you live in Missouri, these programs may be offered through hospitals, clinics, or community health centers.

Vaccines

Part B covers several essential vaccines at no cost, including the flu shot, pneumococcal vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines, and Hepatitis B shots for those at risk. Other vaccines, such as shingles or Tdap, are generally covered under Part D. Availability can vary by region in Missouri, but most pharmacy chains and clinics participate in Medicare’s vaccination program.

Why These Services Matter

Preventive care gives you the opportunity to detect health concerns early, long before they become more serious or harder to treat. Regular wellness visits and screenings help identify risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or cognitive changes. These appointments also give you time to discuss your personal health goals and any lifestyle adjustments that could improve your quality of life.

Because many of these services are fully covered when provided by a Medicare-approved provider, beneficiaries in Missouri can take advantage of important care without worrying about unexpected costs. Using preventive services now may help avoid expensive treatments later by catching problems early.

How to Make the Most of Medicare’s Preventive Benefits

Start by talking with your doctor about which preventive services fit your health needs. If you are in your first year of Part B, schedule your “Welcome to Medicare” visit as soon as possible. Then plan to complete your Annual Wellness Visit every 12 months.

When booking appointments in Missouri, make sure your provider accepts Medicare assignment so your visit is fully covered. If you need screenings, nutrition counseling, or behavioral health services, ask your provider about local availability. Many clinics and community health programs in Missouri work closely with Medicare to offer these services.

Important Things to Know

Medicare’s preventive services are meant for screening, education, and health planning. They do not replace a full physical exam. Wellness visits may not include comprehensive tests unless medically necessary, and if your doctor performs additional services beyond preventive care, you may be responsible for cost-sharing.

Not all services are covered. Routine dental, hearing, and vision exams generally fall outside Original Medicare. Because coverage varies, especially among Medicare Advantage plans available in Missouri, it’s important to review what your specific plan includes.

Final Thoughts

Medicare’s preventive services help you stay informed, stay ahead of health issues, and stay healthier without extra costs. By taking advantage of “Welcome to Medicare” visits, annual wellness checks, screenings, vaccinations, and counseling, beneficiaries in Missouri can make proactive choices about their health. Talk with your doctor about which preventive services make sense for you, and use your Medicare benefits to their fullest.