CMS makes a robust array of prevention and wellness services available to traditional, fee-for-service beneficiaries. Such services can prove beneficial both to long term care providers and to the seniors residing in their facilities. Howard Sollins describes the prevention and wellness services covered under Medicare and the advantages they offer.

Medicare beneficiaries mainly use the fee-for-service benefits the program makes available, and health care providers are used to thinking of the program as covering health care services and items in response to medical needs. Consumers familiar with managed care systems, whether for the first time under Medicare Advantage or transitioning from commercial products such as health maintenance organizations, may be more used to using benefits and services designed to avoid illness or injury.