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Sexually transmitted infection screenings & counseling

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers sexually transmitted infection screenings for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and/or Hepatitis B if you’re pregnant or at increased risk for a sexually transmitted infection

Medicare also covers up to 2 face-to-face, high-intensity behavioral counseling sessions if you’re a sexually active adult at increased risk for these infections. Each session can be 20-30 minutes long.

Medicare covers sexually transmitted infection screenings once every 12 months, or at certain times during pregnancy. Medicare covers up to 2 behavioral counseling sessions each year.

Your costs in Original Medicare

You pay nothing for the screenings and counseling if your primary care doctor or other health care provider accepts assignment .

Note

Your doctor or other health care provider may recommend you get services more often than Medicare covers. Or, they may recommend services that Medicare doesn’t cover. If this happens, you may have to pay some or all of the costs. Ask questions so you understand why your doctor is recommending certain services and if, or how much, Medicare will pay for them.

Things to know

Your primary care provider must order the screening or refer you for behavioral counseling. Medicare will only cover counseling sessions with a Medicare-eligible primary care provider in a primary care setting (like a doctor’s office). Medicare won't cover counseling as a preventive service in an inpatient setting (like a skilled nursing facility).

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