What Does Medicare Part B Cover?

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers the following:

1. Doctor Visits

If you are enrolled in Medicare Part B, you’ll have coverage for doctor visits. This includes visits to your primary care physician, specialists, and other healthcare professionals, such as nurse practitioners or physician assistants. Before scheduling a doctor visit, it’s a good idea to check with your healthcare provider and Medicare to ensure that the service is covered. Understanding the details of Part B coverage for doctor visits can help you make informed decisions about your healthcare and ensure that you receive the necessary care at an affordable cost.

2. Outpatient Care

Medicare Part B covers a wide range of outpatient services to help you get the medical care you need. Outpatient care refers to medical services or procedures that don’t require an overnight hospital stay. Here’s a list of some of the outpatient services that are covered by Part B:

• Outpatient surgery.
• Ambulatory surgical center services.
• Chemotherapy and other cancer treatments.
• Diagnostic tests, such as X-rays and lab tests.
• Outpatient mental health services, such as individual and group therapy.
• Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology services.
• Rehabilitation services, such as cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.

It’s important to note that this list is not comprehensive, and some services may have limitations or specific requirements for coverage. Before receiving any outpatient services, it’s a good idea to check with your healthcare provider and Medicare to ensure that the service is covered under Part B.

3. Home Health Care

Medicare Part B provides coverage for home health care services. Home health care refers to medical services provided in your home by skilled professionals, such as nurses, therapists, and home health aides. Part B covers a wide range of home health care services, including skilled nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology services, and medical social services.

To qualify for home health care under Part B, you must be homebound and require skilled care from a healthcare professional. You must also be under the care of a doctor, who will develop a plan of care that outlines the services you need. Home health care services may include wound care, medication management, and rehabilitation services.

4. Durable Medical Equipment (DME)

You also have coverage for durable medical equipment under Medicare Part B. Durable medical equipment refers to medical equipment that is designed for repeated use, is primarily used to serve a medical purpose, and is appropriate for use in the home. Part B covers a wide range of durable medical equipment, including wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, oxygen equipment, and certain types of prosthetic devices.

To be covered by Medicare Part B, the durable medical equipment must meet certain criteria, including being medically necessary and prescribed by a doctor or healthcare provider. The equipment must also be appropriate for use in the home, and the cost of renting or purchasing the equipment must be reasonable. Medicare Part B also covers certain supplies that are necessary for the use of durable medical equipment, such as replacement batteries or tubing. Understanding the details of your coverage for durable medical equipment can help you obtain the equipment you need to manage your medical condition and improve your quality of life. If you’re unsure whether a specific piece of equipment is covered or not, it’s a good idea to check with your healthcare provider and Medicare.

5. Preventative Care

Medicare Part B includes coverage for a wide range of preventative care services. Preventative care is an important part of staying healthy and managing chronic conditions, and Part B covers many services that can help you stay on top of your health. Some examples of preventative care services covered by Part B include an annual wellness visit, cancer screenings, diabetes screenings, cardiovascular disease screenings, and flu shots. You won’t have to pay anything for most preventative care services if your healthcare provider accepts Medicare assignment.

Part B also covers certain vaccines, such as the flu vaccine and the pneumococcal vaccine. These vaccines are an important part of staying healthy and preventing serious illnesses. In some cases, you may need to pay a copayment or coinsurance for the vaccine, but in many cases, the vaccine will be covered at no cost to you. If you’re unsure whether a specific preventative care service or vaccine is covered by Part B, it’s a good idea to check with your healthcare provider and Medicare. By taking advantage of the preventative care services covered by Part B, you can help manage your health and prevent serious illnesses from developing.

How Much Does Medicare Part B Cost?

It’s important to understand all the costs for Medicare Part B in 2023. This includes your premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. First, you’ll need to pay a monthly premium of $164.90, unless you earn a higher income which may result in a higher premium. Keep in mind that you must pay this monthly premium, regardless if you receive Part B-covered services or not.

If you don’t sign up for Part B when you first become eligible, you may be subject to a monthly penalty. This penalty can increase the longer you wait, so it’s important to enroll as soon as possible to avoid additional costs.

Once enrolled, you’ll also need to pay a deductible of $226 before Original Medicare starts to pay for your services. After that, you’ll usually pay 20% of the cost for any Medicare-covered service or medical item if your healthcare provider accepts the Medicare-approved amount as full payment.

For clinical laboratory services and home health care, you won’t have to pay anything out of pocket. However, for durable medical equipment like wheelchairs or hospital beds, you’ll need to pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.

If you require inpatient hospital care, you’ll pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for doctor services while you’re admitted. If you receive outpatient mental health care, you’ll be responsible for covering 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for appointments with your doctor or other healthcare provider for the purpose of diagnosing or treating your condition. You won’t have to pay anything for your yearly depression screening, but you may need to pay an additional amount if you receive services in a hospital outpatient clinic or department.

In case you need partial hospitalization mental health care, you’ll first need to fulfill the Part B deductible before paying 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for any service you receive from a doctor or mental health professional. Additionally, you’ll be required to pay coinsurance each day for partial hospitalization services you receive at a hospital outpatient facility or mental health center.

For outpatient hospital care, you’ll typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for doctor and other healthcare providers’ services. You may also need to pay a copayment to the hospital for any service you receive in a hospital outpatient setting, with a maximum amount of the Part A hospital stay deductible.

Medicare Part B Eligibility

To be eligible for Medicare Part B, you must be a United States citizen or legal permanent resident who has lived in the country for at least five years. If you meet this requirement, you can enroll in Medicare Part B when you turn 65. If you’re already receiving Social Security benefits or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B.

If you have a qualifying disability, you may be eligible for Medicare Part B before the age of 65. You can enroll in Medicare Part B if you have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for at least 24 months, or if you have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Medicare Part B Enrollment Deadline

Understanding the enrollment deadline for Medicare Part B is crucial to avoid penalties and gaps in healthcare coverage. The enrollment deadline for Medicare Part B varies depending on your situation.

If you’re turning 65 and not yet receiving Social Security income benefits, your initial enrollment period for Medicare Part B is the seven-month period that begins three months before your 65th birthday and ends three months after. If you don’t enroll during this time, you may be subject to a late enrollment penalty.

If you’re already receiving Social Security income benefits, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B when you turn 65. However, if you decide to decline Medicare Part B because you have other health insurance, such as coverage through an employer, you’ll need to enroll in Medicare Part B during a special enrollment period. This special enrollment period begins when you or your spouse stops working or loses employer-based health insurance coverage and ends eight months after the employment or coverage ends.

If you have a qualifying disability, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B after you’ve been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for 24 months. If you have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B as soon as your SSDI benefits begin.

It’s important to note that if you miss your initial enrollment period for Medicare Part B or any special enrollment period, you may be subject to a late enrollment penalty. This penalty can increase your monthly premium by up to 10% for each 12-month period that you were eligible for Medicare Part B but didn’t enroll.

How To Sign Up For Medicare Part B

You can sign up for Medicare Part B only on the Social Security website. Optionally, you can mail or fax your completed and signed Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B to your local Social Security office. If you need any additional help or support, please call Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213.

How To Get Help With Medicare Part B

Don’t navigate the complexities of Medicare alone. Our licensed agents at Senior Healthcare Solutions are here to help. Call us today at 866-MEDIGAP (866-633-4427) for fast and reliable assistance from knowledgeable Medicare experts. We’re here to ensure that you have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re making informed decisions about your healthcare coverage. So, contact us today and let us assist you every step of the way.

How To Lower Your Healthcare Costs

Medigap (Medicare Supplement insurance) is designed to help cover some of the healthcare costs that original Medicare doesn’t cover, such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. By filling in the gaps left by original Medicare, Medigap can provide a valuable safety net for you.

Although Medicare covers a lot of healthcare services, it doesn’t cover everything. There are certain out-of-pocket costs that beneficiaries must pay, and these costs can add up quickly. For example, Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) requires beneficiaries to pay a deductible of $1,600 for each benefit period in 2023. After that deductible is met, beneficiaries are responsible for paying a coinsurance amount for each day in the hospital. Similarly, Medicare Part B (medical insurance) has an annual deductible of $226 in 2023, after which beneficiaries typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most services.

Medigap policies can help cover these out-of-pocket costs, which can make a big difference for beneficiaries who have a lot of medical expenses. Depending on the policy you choose, your Medigap plan may cover some or all your Part A and Part B deductibles, as well as your coinsurance and copayments. This can give you peace of mind knowing that you won’t be hit with unexpected medical bills.

Another purpose of Medigap is to provide more choice and flexibility to Medicare beneficiaries. With Medigap, you can choose from a variety of plans that offer different levels of coverage. For example, some plans may cover all your out-of-pocket costs, while others may only cover a portion of them. This allows you to tailor your coverage to your specific healthcare needs and budget.

At Senior Healthcare Solutions, we understand the importance of protecting your health and your finances. That’s why we have a team of licensed agents who specialize in Medicare and can help you find the right Medigap plan for your needs. Our agents are knowledgeable, friendly, and dedicated to helping you make informed healthcare decisions. Contact us today to learn more about how Medigap plans can lower your healthcare costs and save you money.

Frequently Asked Questions