Detecting diseases early and improving health is the purpose of preventive services.
Medicare covers a wide range of preventive services, such as screenings for cancer, obesity, substance abuse, and chronic diseases. A majority of these services are recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force and have no cost sharing under the Affordable Care Act.
Medicare requires that some preventive care services be provided by a specific type of provider, such as a primary care physician.
Generally, Medicare covers services only if the provider accepts Medicare. Medicare participants accept Medicare assignment and participate in the Medicare program if you have Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans require you to see a provider within their network, which is a provider who accepts your Medicare Advantage plan as insurance. If you do not see a Medicare-participating or in-network provider, charges typically apply to your preventive care service.