Are all types of blood tests covered by Medicare?

Question

Diana Salisbury · Accepted Answer

No, not all types of blood tests are covered by Medicare. Medicare covers blood tests that are ordered by a doctor to help diagnose or treat a medical condition.

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian on May 12, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA, AL, AR & 22 other states

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian Medicare Insurance Agent

Lt Col Tim Brown · Answer

As far as I know.  I’ve never heard of any being turned down. What test are you concerned about?  Perhaps I can look it up. 

Tim Brown 
Contact me.

George Ibanez · Answer

Medicare covers medically necessary blood tests which include diagnostic tests ordered by a doctor to help diagnose illnesses, as well as preventive screenings, however routine or annual blood work may not be covered.

Answered by George Ibanez on August 6, 2025

Broker Licensed in AR, AL, AZ & 40 other states

Answered by George Ibanez Medicare Insurance Agent

Justin Doherty · Answer

Medicare as a whole operates on a "medically necessary" basis. If your blood tests are considered medically necessary, they are typically covered under Part B. However, if you receive blood test that are considered "elective", they are not likely to be covered. These would include situations where you might be required to have blood tests for employment purposes.

Answered by Justin Doherty on August 25, 2025

Broker Licensed in PA, CO, CT & 10 other states

Answered by Justin Doherty Medicare Insurance Agent

David Quintal · Answer

Generally speaking, yes Medicare covers all medically necessary blood tests ordered by your healthcare providers.  
Covering these blood test allows your healthcare professional to track your health and even screen for disease prevention.
Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) may cover more blood tests than original Medicare (Part a and Part B).  Under original Medicare, there is no separate fee for blood tests.

Steven Bleicher · Answer

I wish folks were coached more about this amazing fact of Medicare: There are over 60,000+ treatments & procedures that are currently covered by Medicare. As long as a procedure has a dollar value that has been put in place on it and is not an experimental treatment, it WILL be deemed as being covered with the same 80/20% ratio. 80% is covered by your primary insurance (and most or all of the remaining 20%) by secondary insurance.

Answered by Steven Bleicher on June 4, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Diana Garner · Answer

If the blood tests are deemed medically necessary and are ordered by a physician or other health care provider, they are generally covered by Medicare.  This includes tests such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and thyroid function. 

Specific coverage details and cost-sharing amounts can vary depending on the type of test and the individual's Medicare plan (Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Supplement).

Aaron Solomon · Answer

I would say that Medicare covers traditional medical care. I do know that any Supplement or MAPD will cover most or all blood tests

Thomas Magnus · Answer

Medicare operates on the concept of "Medical Necessity". If your doctor believes a blood test is necessary in order to diagnose a condition you are experiencing, it should be covered by Medicare Part B. https://www.hhs.gov/answers/medicare-and-medicaid/what-does-medicare-part-b-cover/index.html

Answered by Thomas Magnus on August 26, 2025

Broker Licensed in CA, AZ, NV, OR & WA

Answered by Thomas Magnus Medicare Insurance Agent

Fred Manas · Answer

No, not all types of blood tests are fully covered by Medicare. Medicare covers blood tests that are deemed medically necessary for diagnosis or treatment of a health condition, but routine screenings or tests done during annual physicals may not be fully covered.

Answered by Fred Manas on April 24, 2025

Agent Licensed in NY, CT, DC & 7 other states

Answered by Fred Manas Medicare Insurance Agent

Vachik Chakhbazian · Answer

No, not all types of blood tests are covered by Medicare. Medicare covers blood tests that are ordered by a doctor to help diagnose or treat a medical condition.

Marcie Barnes · Answer

Everything is subject to medical necessity.  If you have a particular blood test in question.  Consult your doctor's office.  They can assist in determining what's covered.

Chuck Winslow · Answer

Not all blood tests are covered by Medicare — but many essential ones are, especially if they're considered medically necessary.

Covered by Medicare Part B (if medically necessary):

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Lipid Panel (cholesterol and triglycerides)

A1C Test (for diabetes)

Blood glucose tests

Thyroid function tests

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) (for prostate cancer screening)

Liver and kidney function tests

Hepatitis screenings

HIV and STD screenings (in certain cases)


Not typically covered:

Tests for employment, life insurance, or general curiosity

Experimental or non-FDA-approved blood tests

Some vitamin or hormone level tests (unless deemed medically necessary)


To be covered, the test must be ordered by your doctor and used to diagnose, monitor, or treat a medical condition. Preventive screenings like cholesterol or diabetes tests are often covered 100% under Medicare if you qualify.

Justin Hundley · Answer

No, not all types of blood tests are covered by Medicare. What is covered is medically necessary diagnostic blood tests which are ordered by a physician, but it may not cover routine or preventative blood work that is not medically justified.

Answered by Diana Salisbury on April 30, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH, IN & MI

Answered by Diana Salisbury Medicare Insurance Agent

Vernon Pate · Answer

Original Medicare covers "medically necessary" laboratory tests. Medicare Advantage Plans will cover "medically necessary" tests, as well. However, check your plan's "Statement of Benefits" for copays, coinsurance, or other limitations.

Answered by Vernon Pate on April 25, 2025

Broker Licensed in AR, MO & OK

Answered by Vernon Pate Medicare Insurance Agent

Sean Krause · Answer

If a blood test is ordered by your doctor. The blood test would be covered. However, depending on what type of Medicare plan there may be a cost.

Mark Murphy · Answer

No, some types of blood tests are not covered by Medicare.  Ask your doctor to verify which test are covered so there are no surprises.

Are all types of blood tests covered by Medicare?

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Are all types of blood tests covered by Medicare?

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