How many blood tests will Medicare cover per year?


Editorial team Published on

Medicare does not have a single yearly limit on blood tests; instead, it covers an unlimited number of medically necessary diagnostic blood tests ordered by your doctor, alongside specific preventive screenings that have their own set frequency limits.

Medically Necessary vs. Routine Tests

  • Diagnostic Tests: If your doctor orders blood work to diagnose, treat, or monitor a specific illness, injury, or symptom, Medicare covers as many tests as your doctor deems medically necessary. You can learn more about Diagnostic laboratory tests directly from Medicare.
  • Routine/Wellness Tests: Medicare does not cover routine blood work done simply as part of a general annual physical or wellness checkup if you have no symptoms or specific risk factors.

Limits on Preventive Screening Blood Tests

When blood tests are used as preventive screenings rather than for a specific diagnosis, Medicare sets strict frequency limits based on the condition:

  • Cardiovascular/Heart Disease: Cholesterol, lipid, and triglyceride screenings are covered once every 5 years.
  • Diabetes Screenings: Covered once a year, or up to twice a year if you are at higher risk.
  • Prostate Cancer (PSA): Covered once every 12 months for men age 50 and older.
  • HIV Screening: Covered once a year for people at risk (and up to three times during a pregnancy).
  • Hepatitis B and C: Covered once a year for individuals at high risk.
  • Colorectal Cancer (Fecal Occult): Covered once a year for adults age 50 and older.

You can review additional details on Preventive and screening services on the official Medicare site. You can also see guidance regarding Blood Work and Labs Original Medicare covers via GoHealth.