What is Medicare part B?

Medicare Part B is healthcare insurance. That helps you pay for your doctor visits and medical care you receive as an outpatient. You are an out-patient as you get care in a hospital or consulting room and are not admitted for an inpatient stay. Part B also includes the majority of doctor’s services that you may receive as an in-patient. Other hospital services are covered under Part A.

Let’s find out what is covered under Medicare Part B?

•        Doctor's visits (including an annual physical exam)

•        Laboratory services including - blood tests, urinalysis, etc.

•        Medical health care as an outpatient

•        Some preventive care, like flu and pneumonia shots

•        Outpatient health check services

•        X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, EKGs, and some other diagnostic tests

•        Prescription drugs, like chemotherapy drugs

•        Durable medical equipment for use at home such as oxygen, wheelchairs, walkers, etc.

•        Emergency room services

•        Skilled nursing care and health aid services on a part-time or intermittent basis

•        Other diagnostic screenings, such as colorectal and prostate cancer screenings and mammograms

•        Ambulatory surgery center services

What's not covered under Medicare Part B?

Medicare Part B does not help with the cost of:

•        Dental, vision or hearing care but in very rare conditions.

•        Care received outside the USA except in very specific situations.

•        Custodial care - helping with eating, bathing or dressing.

What doctors or health professionals can you see?

You can see any qualified provider in the US who accepts Medicare assignment and who accepts new patients. You can get medical help in any state or region. Original Medicare Part B offers the same benefits across the US.

Coverage limited with Medicare Part B

Medicare Part B insurance helps pay for any medically necessary care to look after an illness or physical condition.

Part B also covers some precautionary care to help you live a healthier life. There may be limits on coverage for some services.

What is preventive care?

Preventive care includes screenings and tests that assist discover health problems at an early stage so that they can be treated well. Other services, such as flu shots and health education, may help prevent health problems.

Medicare Part B covers these preventive services:

•        Bone mass measurement (bone density)

•        Alcohol misuse counseling

•        Cervical and vaginal cancer screening

•        Lung cancer screening

•        Diabetes self-management training

•        Breast cancer screening (mammogram)

•        Cardiovascular disease (behavioral therapy)

•        Flu shot

•        Tobacco use cessation counseling

•        Diabetes screening

•        Colorectal cancer screening

•        Hepatitis B shot

•        Glaucoma test

•        Prostate cancer screening

•        Depression screening

•        Cardiovascular screening

•        Obesity screening and counseling

•        Pneumococcal shot

•        Medical nutrition therapy services

•        “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit

•        Yearly “Wellness” visit

•        HIV screening

•        Hepatitis C screening

•        Sexually transmitted infections screening and counseling