40+ Free Things You Can Get with Medicare
Understanding the breadth of free stuff for Medicare recipients can help you make the most of your coverage and support your overall health.
Categories of services that Medicare offers for free or at a lower cost are preventive care, durable medical equipment, mental health, health education, and rehabilitative services.
In this guide, we’ll cover the free and reduced-cost benefits, services, and products available to Medicare recipients and how to access them without paying unnecessary costs.
Key takeaways:
Medicare recipients receive free preventive care services, including annual wellness visits, cancer and heart disease screenings, diabetes tests, and immunizations.
Other services and programs that Medicare recipients can access for free or at a reduced cost include durable medical equipment, mental health counseling, health education, and physical therapy.
Speaking with your healthcare provider or a licensed Medicare Advisor can help you know how to access these benefits to support your health needs.
Free preventive care services under Medicare
Preventive healthcare services help patients stay healthy and detect any potential health problems early. Early detection of most conditions can help to improve treatment outcomes.
Medicare offers several preventive care services for free, including annual wellness visits, cancer screenings, and cardiovascular and diabetes screenings.
Annual wellness visits
As a Medicare recipient, you have access to an annual wellness visit (AWV) with your provider every year. There is no copayment, coinsurance, or deductible associated with this visit.
During your first “Welcome to Medicare” wellness visit, your provider will conduct an initial preventive physical exam (IPPE). They will use this exam to make health risk assessments and create a personalized prevention plan of service (PPS) that they will refer to at subsequent visits every year.
Cancer screenings and early detection
Several cancer screenings and tests are also covered by Medicare, including:
Colorectal cancer screening
Cervical cancer screenings with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) tests
Lung cancer screening for high-risk patients
Mammography screening
Prostate cancer screening
Additional tests not related to cancer prevention but are provided for free to Medicare recipients include:
Bone mass measurement
Glaucoma screening
Hepatitis B screening
Hepatitis C screening
HIV screening
Sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening
Ultrasound Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening
Cardiovascular disease and diabetes prevention
According to data from 2015-2018, an estimated 77% of men and 75% of women in the U.S. between the ages of 60-79 are affected by heart disease. And data from 2024 suggests that nearly one in three adults in the U.S. aged 65 and older has diabetes.
Because both conditions are prevalent among older Americans, heart disease and diabetes screening is especially important.
Medicare recipients can access free heart disease and diabetes prevention tools and screening, including:
Blood pressure tests
Cholesterol and lipid panel tests
Diabetes screening (including blood glucose tests, glucose tolerance tests (GTT), and A1C tests)
Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP), which includes counseling for diabetes prevention
Shots and vaccines
Immunizations can help to prevent disease. The following shots and vaccines are covered by Medicare:
COVID-19 vaccines
Flu shot
Hepatitis B shot
Pneumococcal shot
Free medical equipment through Medicare
Medicare Part B covers medically necessary equipment deemed as durable medical equipment (DME) by your provider. But you’ll need your doctor to prescribe the equipment for home use. Unfortunately, medical equipment that isn’t prescribed by your doctor is not covered by Medicare.
Durable medical equipment (DME) coverage
Medicare covers 80% of the Medicare-approved cost of DME after you meet your Part B deductible (if your supplier accepts assignment).
Types of DME that Medicare typically covers includes:
Canes, walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, scooters, and mobility aids
Commode chairs
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines and oxygen equipment
Hospital beds and patient lift equipment
Orthotics
Pressure-reducing support surfaces
Suction pumps
Traction equipment
Diabetes supplies and monitoring equipment
Equipment used to monitor and manage diabetes is typically covered by Medicare Part B as DME. This type of equipment may include:
Blood sugar monitors and test strips
Blood sugar control solutions
Insulin infusion pumps & supplies
Lancets & lancet holders
Prosthetics
If your provider prescribes an external prosthetic to replace a body part or function, Medicare Part B will cover 80% of its Medicare-approved amount.
Examples of types of prosthetics partially covered by Medicare B include:
Breast prostheses (including surgical bras)
Eyeglasses or contact lenses that support cataract surgery recovery
Ostomy bags
Cochlear implans
Urological supplies
Free wellness programs and support services
Medicare offers a range of services that aim to support whole-body wellness, including health education programs and mental health and rehabilitation services.
Medicare-covered health education programs
Health education programs covered by Medicare help individuals to better manage their health and chronic conditions.
Diabetes self-management training: Diabetes self-management training (DSMT) supports individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes to self-manage their conditions and reduce hospitalizations and complications associated with the disease. Medicare Part B recipients can receive up to 10 hours of initial training within a 12-month period and up to two hours of follow-up training each year afterward. Deductible and coinsurance payments do apply to DSMT.
Nutrition counseling and dietitian services: If you have kidney disease, diabetes, or have had a kidney transplant in the last 36 months, your provider can refer you to free medical nutrition therapy services through Medicare.
Smoking cessation programs and support: Medicare Part B covers the full cost of up to eight counseling sessions in a 12-month period to help you stop smoking or using tobacco.
Mental health and counseling services
Medicare offers a wide range of mental health and counseling services, which are either free or partially covered, including:
Depression screening and counseling (up to 15 minutes annually of screening)
Psychotherapy
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Alcohol misuse screening counseling
Alcohol treatment
Behavioral health integration services
Hypnotherapy
Medication for opioid use disorder
Medications for substance use disorders
The range of services offered and their cost will vary depending on the type of service, your coverage, and the provider.
Rehabilitation and therapy services
If your provider deems your physical therapy or rehabilitation necessary, Medicare can help to cover the cost. Services that Medicare may cover include:
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation
Post-hospital care and recovery services
How to access and maximize your free medicare benefits
Understanding the benefits are available to you as a Medicare recipient is just one part of the puzzle. Knowing how to access them to support your personalized health needs is another.
In many cases, you will need either a referral or prescription from your provider to access specific Medicare benefits. If you’re unsure where to begin, you can reach out to a licensed Chapter Medicare Advisor to find out how to get the most value from your Medicare coverage.
Bottom line
Medicare recipients can access a variety of services for free or at a reduced cost, including annual wellness checks, cancer screenings, durable medical equipment, counseling, and physical therapy. Knowing how to take advantage of these services can improve your health and wellbeing in the long run. If you’re unsure how to access these benefits, reach out to a licensed Medicare Advisor for guidance.
Frequently asked questions
What preventive services does Medicare cover for free?
Medicare covers a wide range of preventive services, including annual wellness visits with your provider, cancer screenings, heart disease screenings, diabetes screenings, and certain shots and vaccines.
Can I get free medical equipment through Medicare?
Yes, medical equipment that’s prescribed by your doctor and deemed “durable medical equipment (DME)” will be partially covered by Medicare Part B. After you meet your Part B deductible, you’ll be responsible for 20% of the Medicare-approved cost of the DME you need.
Does Medicare cover free gym memberships?
No, Medicare does not cover the cost of gym memberships or fitness programs.
Sources
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Annual Wellness Visit (AWV). (n.d.). MLN006559 – Medicare Preventive Services. https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Prevention/PrevntionGenInfo/medicare-preventive-services/MPS-QuickReferenceChart-1.html#AWV
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National Diabetes Statistics Report. (2024, May 15). Diabetes. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/data-research/index.html
Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP). (n.d.-b). MLN006559 – Medicare Preventive Services. https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Prevention/PrevntionGenInfo/medicare-preventive-services/MPS-QuickReferenceChart-1.html#MDPP
Durable Medical Equipment (DME) coverage. (n.d.). Medicare. https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/durable-medical-equipment-dme-coverage
Prosthetic devices. (n.d.). Medicare. https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/prosthetic-devices
Diabetes Self-Management Training. (n.d.-c). MLN006559 – Medicare Preventive Services. https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Prevention/PrevntionGenInfo/medicare-preventive-services/MPS-QuickReferenceChart-1.html#DIABETES_SELF
Medical nutrition therapy services. (n.d.). Medicare. https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/medical-nutrition-therapy-services
US Government. (n.d.). Your guide to Medicare preventive services. https://www.medicare.gov/publications/10110-your-guide-to-medicare-preventive-services.pdf
American Medical Association. (2025). Medicare & mental health coverage. https://www.cms.gov/files/document/mln1986542-medicare-mental-health-coverage.pdf