Tip: Free Medicare wellness doctor visits

The easiest way to avoid getting sick is staying well, and while this may sound obvious, until recently it often came at a cost for Medicare beneficiaries.

Under the new health-care law, Medicare recipients can now get a yearly "wellness visit" with their doctor with no out-of-pocket costs. Medicare says the visit is a good time to talk with your doctor not only about the care you are receiving, but other free preventive services for which you may be eligible.

Among the preventive services available to Medicare recipients are screenings for cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer, diabetes and prostate cancer. You also can get a yearly mammogram, a measurement of your bone mass (to see if you are at risk for fractures) and smoking-cessation counseling.

For a list of preventive services, go to medicare.gov and type "wellness checklist" in the search box.