How often is it covered?
Medicare covers this one-time screening ultrasound if you get a referral for it as a result of your "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit. You must get the preventive visit and the screening ultrasound referral (not the ultrasound exam itself) within the first 12 months you have Medicare Part B.
Who's eligible?
People with Medicare who meet the following criteria are eligible:
- You have at least one of the following risk factors:
- A family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm
- You must be a man age 65 to 75 who has smoked at least 100 cigarettes in his lifetime
- You have never had an AAA ultrasound screening paid for by Medicare.
You must get a referral for the AAA ultrasound screening from a physician or other qualified non-physician practitioner as a result of your "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit. Certain other risk factors may apply. Talk to your doctor to find out more.
Your costs in Original Medicare
You pay nothing for the AAA screening ultrasound if the doctor accepts assignment.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Resources