Summer Wellness Checklist: How to Maximize Your Medicare Benefits This Season

Summer isn’t just for beach trips and backyard barbecues, it’s also the perfect time to check in on your health and get more value from your Medicare benefits. Warmer weather brings unique risks and opportunities for older adults, and the good news is that Medicare offers a range of services to help you stay safe, active, and well during the summer months.

Here’s a clear breakdown of how you can take full advantage of Medicare this season; covering preventive care, heat-related health, hydration, travel prep, and mental wellness.

1. Schedule Your Annual Wellness Visit

Medicare Part B covers an Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) at no cost to you (as long as your provider accepts assignment). This visit is not the same as a traditional physical exam, but rather a preventive appointment that helps you and your doctor create a personalized health plan.

Summer is an ideal time to schedule this visit if you haven’t yet this year. Your provider can:

• Review medications and chronic conditions

• Update your health risk assessments

• Offer recommendations for screenings and vaccinations

• Discuss lifestyle improvements like nutrition, activity, and mental health

Completing this visit now ensures that any follow-ups (like diagnostic tests or vaccinations) can be handled before fall or winter viruses begin to spike again.

2. Get Up-to-Date on Preventive Screenings and Vaccines

Medicare covers a wide list of preventive services with no out-of-pocket cost. These include screenings for diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and more. Summer is a smart time to get these done, especially if your schedule is more flexible.

Vaccines covered under Medicare Part B and Part D include:

If you’re planning to travel, especially internationally, talk to your Medicare Advisor about additional travel-related vaccines. Some may not be covered, but it’s worth asking.

3. Take Advantage of Fitness and Wellness Benefits

Many Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer extra wellness perks beyond what Original Medicare covers. Summer is a great time to make use of these, especially if you want to stay active and social.

Some of the most common extras include:

• SilverSneakers or similar fitness programs: Free access to gyms, pools, or online workouts

• Telehealth mental health counseling: Covered by both Original Medicare and many Advantage plans

• OTC benefit cards: Use these for sunscreen, hydration supplements, or pain relief patches

Not all plans offer the same extras, so check with your provider to see what's included.

4. Protect Against Heat-Related Health Risks

Older adults are at higher risk for heat exhaustion and dehydration. Medicare doesn’t specifically cover air conditioners or fans, but it does cover services to monitor and manage conditions that heat can aggravate, like heart failure, COPD, or diabetes.

If you have chronic conditions, ask your provider if you qualify for Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) or Chronic Care Management (CCM) programs. These programs can track things like weight, blood pressure, and glucose levels to help prevent heat-related complications.

Additionally, nutrition therapy (covered for those with diabetes or kidney disease) can help you build a summer-appropriate hydration and diet plan.

5. Plan Smart for Travel

Many Medicare beneficiaries travel during the summer, whether for family visits or vacations. Keep in mind:

• Original Medicare generally doesn’t cover care outside the U.S.

• Some Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans offer limited foreign travel emergency coverage

• Medicare Advantage plans may have regional networks, check for out-of-area restrictions

If you’re going to be away from home for more than a few days, bring your Medicare card, a medication list, and check that your pharmacy offers nationwide prescription refills (especially if using a Medicare Part D plan).

Diana Pedersen

Starr Investments & Benefits • Mead, WA

I'm planning a long trip overseas. What happens if I need medical care while I'm away from the US?

You will want to find out what your care options are with your plan. You might have virtual visits or you can get travel insurance.

Many insurance providers include access to a 24-hour hotline that you can call for medical advice.

If you need to see a doctor while you’re traveling, you might be able to set up a virtual appointment with your primary care doctor.

Medicare doesn't cover outside of the US but there are a few plans that can cover this cost. You will want to talk to your Broker about those options.

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6. Don’t Overlook Mental Wellness

While summer brings longer days and more sunshine, it can also come with disruptions to routine and increased feelings of loneliness (especially if family or friends are away traveling). It’s important to know that Medicare provides solid support for mental health care. Individual and group therapy are covered when medically necessary, and you can receive care in-person or through telehealth. You’re also entitled to a depression screening each year as part of your Annual Wellness Visit. If you're already managing a mental health condition, Medicare can help with medication management through your primary care provider or a psychiatrist. Taking advantage of these services can make a real difference in how you feel and function, particularly during a season that can feel emotionally mixed for some.

This Season, Let Medicare Work for You

Summer offers more than sunshine, it’s a window to catch up on your health goals while using the full value of your Medicare benefits. Whether it’s booking your wellness visit, checking off screenings, or trying a new fitness perk through your Advantage plan, these small actions add up.

Take the season seriously, because smart health habits now can prevent bigger issues later. With the right planning, and with the right Medicare broker you can enjoy a safer, healthier summer.