Medicare Part B
What Does Medicare Part B Cover?
Medicare Part B is often called medical insurance. It helps cover many medically necessary services you receive from doctors and other health care providers, along with a range of outpatient and preventive services.
Doctor and provider services: Part B helps cover services from doctors and other qualified health care professionals.
Outpatient care: Part B can cover outpatient hospital services, diagnostic testing, certain procedures, and other medically necessary care that does not require an inpatient admission.
Durable medical equipment: Part B can help cover qualifying equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, oxygen equipment, and other medically necessary items.
Preventive services: Part B covers many screenings, vaccines, and preventive visits when Medicare's requirements are met.
Part B also covers certain ambulance services, outpatient mental health services, and some home health care.
Part B Costs, Enrollment, and Timing
Part B generally has a monthly premium, and the amount can be higher for people with higher incomes. A yearly deductible and coinsurance may also apply to many covered services.
For people becoming eligible for Medicare at age 65, the Initial Enrollment Period generally lasts seven months around their 65th birthday. Some people are enrolled automatically, while others need to sign up.
Delaying Part B without qualifying for a Special Enrollment Period can result in a late-enrollment penalty that may continue for as long as you have Part B. Employer coverage and your work status can affect when you should enroll, so it is important to review your situation before delaying coverage.
Part B works together with Part A as the foundation of Original Medicare. After enrolling, you can decide whether to stay with Original Medicare and consider Part D and Medicare SUpplement (Medigap), or receive your Medicare benefits through a Medicare Advantage plan.
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