8 Health Insurance Hacks That Work Only for Medicare Recipients

Medicare, the nation's government-sponsored health insurance program for seniors, comes with many free perks. These frequently overlooked senior benefits can help seniors stay on top of their health without requiring them to pay for services out of pocket.

Here are some key Medicare benefits you can use once you become eligible for the program.

Medicare Part B covers preventive care such as medical screenings. It includes a free one-time Medicare welcome visit for those who enroll in the program.

At any point in the first 12 months after you sign up, you can schedule a welcome visit with your primary care physician to review your medical concerns, family history, and future care.

Your physician will also take vital statistics such as your weight, height, and blood pressure to establish a medical baseline. They'll administer a basic vision test, give you information about other preventative Medicare services, and help you craft a health care plan to help you enjoy a healthy retirement.

After your one-time welcome visit, you'll be eligible for annual wellness visits where you and your doctor can collaborate on a personalized medical care plan.

You'll be able to schedule recommended screenings, update your medical history, talk through any concerns, and get a cognitive assessment.

The free Medicare wellness visit differs from the yearly physical exam you might have gotten with previous health insurance plans. This Medicare-specific benefit is intended to help you develop a personalized care plan and to assess any health risks you might face.

Medicare Part D covers prescription medications and can help minimize the costs of both generic and brand-name drugs.

Even if you don't currently take any prescription medications, it's still smart to sign up for Medicare Part D at the same time as you sign up for Medicare Parts A and B. There's a lifelong penalty fee for signing up late.

You're likely to be prescribed medications as you age, even if you're not taking any now. Take steps now so you can afford medications later.

Once a year, Medicare will cover a free alcohol misuse screening for enrollees. These screenings help you and your medical professional determine whether you have developed a dependency on alcohol that requires attention.

If you struggle with your drinking but don't technically qualify for an alcohol dependency diagnosis, Medicare will pay for four in-person alcohol counseling sessions. These sessions take place in a primary care setting rather than an inpatient treatment facility or outpatient counseling service.

Do you currently smoke but want to quit? As a Medicare enrollee, you qualify for eight free counseling sessions over a span of 12 months.

These sessions are meant to help you end any tobacco use, including smoking. To be eligible for this screening, a doctor must recommend it.

Medicare now covers preventative vaccines for those who are signed up for Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage drug coverage.

With no copay or out-of-pocket costs, you can get all annual and one-time vaccines, such as those for RSV, shingles, and the seasonal flu, and keep more cash in your wallet. 

Those enrolled in Medicare are eligible for four types of free colorectal screenings:

• Fecal occult blood test
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy
• Stool DNA test
• Colonoscopy

To be eligible for the free screenings, you must schedule them at the intervals established under Medicare rules.

A Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) is a form of Medicare Advantage plan that is similar to a health savings account (HSA).

MSAs let you save money to use specifically for health care costs. As with an HSA, you must have a high-deductible health plan to qualify for an MSA.

Understanding how Medicare works is a crucial part of your retirement readiness. Planning ahead of time to take advantage of every benefit Medicare offers is a great way to protect both your savings and your health in retirement.

Your specific Medicare plan may come with other free perks not discussed here, especially if you sign up for Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage. Before committing to a plan, read through its list of benefits so you can find the one that's right for you.