I just posted information about changes to the tobacco cessation counseling preventive service, and in the interests of completeness should also post info on this rather new screening service.
Medicare will cover, as a preventive screening service, an annual test for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). While this test is targeted at those at high risk for HIV, it is available to any beneficiary who asks for it. This was done so that beneficiaries do not have to respond to questions about their sex life or drug use to get the test.
In addition, as it is strongly recommended that all pregnant women be routinely screened, more frequent HIV testing is available for pregnant beneficiaries. Specifically, this test is covered when they are first found to be pregnant, during their third trimester, and at labor.
As with any lab test, the Part B deductible and coinsurance do not apply.
Interestingly, unlike a most other screening services, this test is covered under both Part A and Part B, so if you have it as a hospital inpatient, for example, you are a woman in labor and have been admitted to a hospital, it is covered under your Part A stay.
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