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Medicare Testing Bills: Diagnostic Tests, Imaging, and Selected Screenings

Adapted from Your Medicare Benefits, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The selected guidance concerns Medicare coverage and payment, not a recommendation for medical treatment. Numbered page references below refer to the linked source publication.

Coverage can depend on medical necessity, the setting, provider participation, and your plan’s rules. Use the cited publication for the full conditions and check the plan year when comparing costs or enrollment choices.

Diagnostic laboratory tests

Diagnostic laboratory tests look for changes in your health and help your doctor or other health care provider diagnose or rule out a suspected illness or condition. Part B covers medically necessary diagnostic laboratory tests when your health care provider orders them. These tests may include certain blood tests, urinalysis, and certain tests on tissue specimens.

Costs You usually pay nothing for Medicare-covered diagnostic laboratory tests.

Things to know Medicare also covers some preventive tests and screenings to help prevent or find a medical problem. Go to “Preventive & screening services” on page 92.

More information Visit Medicare.gov/coverage/diagnostic-laboratory-tests.

Diagnostic non-laboratory tests

Diagnostic non-laboratory tests help your doctor or other health care provider find or rule out an illness or condition. Part B covers these tests (like CT scans, MRIs, EKGs or ECGs, X-rays, and PET scans) when your health care provider orders them to find or treat a medical problem.

Costs

  • After you meet the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for covered diagnostic non-laboratory tests you get in your doctor’s office or in an independent diagnostic testing facility.
  • If you get the test at a hospital as an outpatient, you also pay the hospital a copayment that may be more than 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. In most cases, this amount can’t be more than the Part A hospital stay deductible ($1,736 in 2026).
  • If you get certain diagnostic non-laboratory tests (advanced diagnostic imaging services including CT, MRI, nuclear medicine, or PET scans) outside of a hospital, including from a provider, medical practice, clinic, or free-standing radiology center, check with the provider before you get your test to make sure they’re accredited. Medicare will only pay for your test if you get it from an accredited provider. If Medicare doesn’t pay for your test because the provider isn’t accredited, the provider can’t bill you for the test.

More information Visit Medicare.gov/coverage/diagnostic-non-laboratory-tests.

Clinical research studies

Clinical research studies test different types of medical care (including new treatments) to find out how well they work and if they’re safe. For example, a clinical research study might test how well a new cancer drug works.

For certain clinical research studies, Part A and/or Part B cover some costs, like office visits and tests.

Costs You may pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, depending on the treatment you get. The Part B deductible may apply.

More information Visit Medicare.gov/coverage/clinical-research-studies.

Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) screenings

EKG or ECG screenings help find problems with your heart. Part B covers a routine EKG or ECG screening if your doctor or other health care provider gives you a referral for this screening during your one-time “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit. Part B also covers EKGs or ECGs as diagnostic tests.

How often Once when you get a referral as part of your “Welcome to Medicare” visit, and more often as a diagnostic test if medically necessary.

Costs After you meet the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. If you have the test at a hospital or a hospital-owned clinic, you also pay the hospital a copayment.

More information

  • Go to:
  • “Diagnostic non-laboratory tests” on page 36.
  • “Preventive visits” on pages 93–95.
  • Visit Medicare.gov/coverage/electrocardiogram-ekg-or-ecg-screenings.

Bone mass measurements

A bone mass measurement can help find out if you’re at risk for broken bones. Part B covers this test if you meet one or more of these conditions:

  • You’re a woman whose doctor or other health care provider determines you’re estrogen-deficient and at risk for osteoporosis, based on your medical history and other findings.
  • Your X-rays show possible osteoporosis, osteopenia, or vertebral fractures.
  • You’re taking prednisone or steroid-type drugs, or are planning to begin this treatment.
  • You’ve been diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism.
  • You’re being monitored to find out if your osteoporosis drug therapy is working.

How often Once every 24 months (or more often, if medically necessary).

Costs You pay nothing if your health care provider accepts assignment.

More information Visit Medicare.gov/coverage/bone-mass-measurements.

Sleep studies

Sleep studies monitor your sleep patterns, breathing, and movement to find out if you have a sleep disorder. Part B covers Type I, II, III, and IV sleep tests and devices if you have clinical signs and symptoms of sleep apnea.

Costs After you meet the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.

Things to know Medicare only covers Type I tests if you get them in a sleep lab facility. Your doctor or other health care provider must order the sleep test.

More information Visit Medicare.gov/coverage/sleep-studies.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection screenings

These screenings help to find out if you’re infected with HBV. Medicare covers an HBV screening test if your doctor or other health care provider orders one, and you meet one of these conditions:

  • You’re at high risk for HBV infection.
  • You’re pregnant.

How often

  • Once a year if you’re at continued high risk and don’t get a hepatitis B vaccine.
  • If you’re pregnant, at the following times, even if you previously got the hepatitis B vaccine or had negative HBV screening results:
  • First prenatal visit
  • Time of delivery if you have new or continued risk factors

Costs You pay nothing if your health care provider accepts assignment.

More information Visit Medicare.gov/coverage/hepatitis-b-virus-hbv-infection-screenings.

Hepatitis C virus screenings

These screenings help to find out if you’re infected with the hepatitis C virus. Medicare covers a hepatitis C screening if your primary care doctor or other health care provider orders one, and you meet at least one of these conditions:

  • You’re at high risk because:
  • You use or have used illicit injection drugs.
  • You had a blood transfusion before 1992.
  • You were born between 1945–1965.

How often

  • Once a year, if you’re at high risk because you’ve continued to use illicit injection drugs since your previous negative hepatitis C screening test.
  • Once in your lifetime, if you’re at high risk because:
  • You had a blood transfusion before 1992.
  • You used illicit injection drugs in the past.
  • Once in your lifetime, if you were born between 1945–1965 and aren’t considered high risk.

Costs You pay nothing if your health care provider accepts assignment.

More information Visit Medicare.gov/coverage/hepatitis-c-virus-infection-screenings.

Source and further reading

Your Medicare Benefits — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Public domain U.S. government educational material, accessed October 28, 2026. Fynoptic has selected sections, removed print navigation, and reformatted the text for this guide. The agency does not endorse Fynoptic.

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