Medicare Part B covers health insurance plans for people aged 65+ years or older as well as individuals who belong to other specific groups. It is the part of Medicare that provides medical coverage insurance.
This consists of various parts, namely: Part-A and Part-B. Medicare B consists of medical services such as doctor appointments, outpatient testing and emergency services. In this blog, we will be covering everything about Medicare B, including what it covers, how much it costs, and when you can enrol. Read to know more about it.
What is Medicare Part B, and What Does Medicare Part B Cover?
Medicare Part B helps cover medically necessary services such as doctors’ services and tests, outpatient care, home health services, durable medical equipment, and other medical services. However, does Medicare cover dental care? Generally, Medicare does not cover routine dental services like cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions, or dentures. Some dental procedures related to certain medical conditions may be covered, but most routine dental care falls outside of Medicare’s coverage.
Part B Medicare also covers some preventive services. Let’s take a closer look at some of the Medicare cards to find out if you have a Part B or not.
The basic medically necessary services include:
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
- Ambulance Services
- Blood
- Bone Mass Measurement
- Cardiac Rehabilitation
- Cardiovascular Screenings
- Chiropractic Services (limited)
- Clinical Laboratory Services
- Clinical Research Studies
- Colorectal Cancer Screenings
- Defibrillator
- Diabetes Screenings
- Diabetes Self-Management Trainings
- Diabetes Supplies
- Doctor Services
- Durable Medical Equipment
- EKG Screenings
- Emergency Department Services
- Eyeglasses
- Federally-Qualified Health Center Services
- Flu shots
- Foot Exams and Treatment (Diabetes-related)
- Glaucoma Tests
- Hearing and Balance Exams
- Hepatitis B Shots
- HIV Screening
- Home Health Services
- Kidney Dialysis Services and Supplies
- Kidney Disease Education Services
- Mammograms (screening)
- Medical Nutrition Therapy Services
- Mental Health Care (outpatient)
- Non-doctor Services
- Occupational Therapy
- Outpatient Medical and Surgical Services and Supplies
- Pap Tests and Pelvic Exams (includes clinical breast exam)
- Physical Exams
- Physical Therapy
- Pneumococcal Shot
- Prescription Drugs (limited)
- Prostate Cancer Screenings
- Prosthetic/Orthotic Items
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- Rural Health Clinic Services
- Second Surgical Opinions
- Smoking Cessation (counselling to stop smoking)
- Speech-Language Pathology Services
- Surgical Dressing Services
- Telehealth
- Tests (other than lab tests)
- Transplants and Immunosuppressive Drugs
What Services Are Not Covered By Medicare Part B Coverage?
Some of the services aren’t covered by Medicare B. If you need these services, you will need to pay for them. Some of these services include:
- Routine Physical Examinations
- Most Prescription Drugs
- Dental care
- Most of the vision care, including contact lenses
- Hearing aids
- Long-Term Care
- Cosmetic Surgery
- Alternative healthcare services such as acupuncture
Who is Eligible for Part-B Medicare?
The following groups are eligible for Medicare B:
- 65 years or older
- People with disabilities
- Individuals with end-stage renal disease
An individual should qualify for premium-free Part A to be eligible for Part B when they are first to enrol in Medicare. Because people often pay for Medicare taxes though they’re working, most of the people are eligible for premium-free Part A and can also enrol in Part B when they’re first eligible for Medicare.
If you need to buy Part A, you can still enrol in Part B. But you must be 65 years or older. You should be a resident of the United States, either a citizen or a legal resident, for at least 5 continuous years.
How Much for Medicare Part B?
Let’s look at the costs associated with Part B in 2024:
Monthly Premiums
Your monthly premiums are what you pay each month for Part B coverage. For 2024, the typical Part B monthly premium is $174.70.
People with higher yearly incomes might have to pay higher monthly premiums. Your annual income is determined by your tax return from 2 years ago. So for 2024, it is your 2022 tax return.
Top Benefits of Using a Local Medicare Agent
If you are not aware of choosing a medicare plan, then a medicare agent will be your guiding angel in choosing the best Medicare care plan for you.
The benefits are as follows:
Medicare Agent Knows The Market:
Agents are up-to-date on the latest Medicare plans and the industry news and have access to important information. An expert’s guidance will help you in making suitable decisions for your medicare plan.
Access To Multiple Providers:
With access to multiple insurance providers, a local medicare agent will help you save time by choosing the best medical plan for your needs. Their knowledge and the navigation of different policies will help you in finding the perfect plan for you.
Value For Money:
A medicare agent does not work on a single insurance company, but he/she can surely help you in finding the most cost-effective plan because they have access to plans from multiple insurance companies.
One-On-One Attention:
A local medicare agent takes time to provide you with personalized medicare plans based on factors which are unique to you such as age, location, gender and health issues. Having a one-on-one conversation with an agent will help you in choosing the best Medicare plan for your needs.
What are the Major Medicare Benefits Part B?
Part B is optional but it is medically essential that Part B assists in covering the cost of covered medical services and supplies. To avoid, identify, or treat a medical issue, Part B also covers certain preventive services like examinations, laboratory testing, and screening immunizations.
Cost: You must pay a monthly Part B fee if you have Part B.
The following are the major benefits of part b:
- Doctor Visits and Medicare Benefits
- Preventive Service
- Outpatient Services
- Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
- Mental Health Services
- Ambulance Services
- Home Health Care
- Certain Prescription Drugs
- Outpatient Therapy Services
Conclusion
Medicare B offers broad medical services with an emphasis on outpatient and preventive services. Core benefits include doctor appointments, laboratory services, mental health assistance, some medical supplies, and prescriptions given by a physician. Other than that, it consists of health maintenance activities such as vaccines and other immunizations, assisting beneficiaries in taking care of their health. All these benefits come with costs in the form of premiums, regular medical cost deductibles, and coinsurance, however, Medicare Part B is fundamental to the management of the routine healthcare and medical needs of seniors and other qualified persons.