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?
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Doctor's visits
(including an annual physical exam)
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Laboratory
services including - blood tests, urinalysis,
etc.
•
Medical health
care as an outpatient
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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:
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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
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Hepatitis B shot
•
Glaucoma test
•
Prostate cancer
screening
•
Depression
screening
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Cardiovascular
screening
•
Obesity screening
and counseling
•
Pneumococcal shot
•
Medical nutrition
therapy services
•
“Welcome to
Medicare” preventive visit
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Yearly “Wellness”
visit
•
HIV screening
•
Hepatitis C
screening
•
Sexually
transmitted infections screening and counseling
