Does Medicare cover it? A to Z
Does Medicare cover advance care planning?
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Short answer
Covered: Part B
Yes, Medicare Part B covers voluntary advance care planning as part of your “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit and yearly “Wellness” visits, and Medicare may also cover it as part of your medical treatment.
With Medicare Part B, you pay nothing for advance care planning during a “Welcome to Medicare” or yearly “Wellness” visit if your health care provider accepts assignment.
When you get advance care planning from Medicare Part B as part of other medical treatment, the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) and coinsurance apply.
| Fact | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who covers it | Part B | Medicare.gov |
| When it's covered | As part of the “Welcome to Medicare” and yearly “Wellness” visits, and possibly as part of medical treatment | Medicare.gov |
| Cost during a Welcome or Wellness visit | $0 if your provider accepts assignment | Medicare.gov |
| Cost as part of other treatment | The $283 Part B deductible and coinsurance apply | Medicare.gov |
| Yearly “Wellness” visit | Once every 12 months | Medicare.gov |
| Telehealth | Listed among Medicare-covered telehealth services | Medicare.gov |
What is advance care planning?
Advance care planning means discussing and preparing for care you would get in the future if you need help making decisions for yourself. As part of advance care planning, you may choose to complete an advance directive, a legal document that records your wishes about medical treatment in the future if you aren't able to make decisions about your care. An advance directive has 2 parts:
- A health care proxy (sometimes called a “durable power of attorney”) names someone you trust to make decisions about your health if you can't.
- A living will describes which treatments you want if your life is threatened, including dialysis, breathing machines, resuscitation and tube feeding, and states whether you want your organs or tissues donated after you die.
When does Medicare cover advance care planning?
Part B covers voluntary advance care planning as part of your “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit and your yearly “Wellness” visits, and Medicare may also cover it as part of your medical treatment. During both visits, your provider offers to talk with you about creating advance directives. Advance care planning is also one of Medicare.gov's examples of Medicare-covered telehealth services.
What do I pay for advance care planning?
You pay nothing if your health care provider accepts assignment and the planning is part of your “Welcome to Medicare” or yearly “Wellness” visit. If you get advance care planning as part of other medical treatment, the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) and coinsurance apply, and you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the deductible.
If your provider performs additional tests or services during a “Welcome to Medicare” or “Wellness” visit that Medicare doesn't cover under the preventive benefit, you may have to pay coinsurance and the Part B deductible may apply.
How often can I get a Medicare Wellness visit to plan ahead?
Medicare covers one “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit within the first 12 months you have Part B, and a yearly “Wellness” visit once every 12 months. Your first yearly “Wellness” visit can't take place within 12 months of your Part B enrollment or your “Welcome to Medicare” visit, but you don't need a “Welcome to Medicare” visit to qualify for one. The yearly “Wellness” visit isn't a routine physical exam; see Medicare and annual physicals. You can update your advance directive at any time.
Who can help me prepare an advance directive?
You can talk about an advance directive with an attorney or your health care provider, and they can help you prepare your documents. Consider carefully who you want to speak for you and what direction you want to give; you have the right to carry out your plans as you choose without discrimination. For help with advance directives, you can:
- Contact your provider or attorney.
- Visit the Eldercare Locator.
- Contact your state health department.
Good to know
More questions people ask
Is advance care planning free with Medicare?
What's the difference between a health care proxy and a living will?
Can I do advance care planning by telehealth?
Does Medicare Advantage cover advance care planning?
Can I change my advance directive later?
Related questions
- Medicare.gov: Advance care planning
- Medicare.gov: Yearly "Wellness" visits
- Medicare.gov: "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit
- Medicare.gov: Telehealth
- Medicare.gov: Medicare costs
- Medicare.gov: Your coverage options
Figures are Medicare’s, set nationally, and were checked against these pages on October 2026. For your own situation, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048).
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This page was last updated: October 2026.