Medicare Part B – Out Patient Services

This portion of Medicare has a monthly premium that will be taken from your Social Security check or, you will be billed quarterly if not collecting Social Security.  The current monthly premium is $134.00 and may be higher depending on your income.

Medicare Part B requires an annual deductible and 20% coinsurance

What Does Medicare Part B Cover?

Part B provides coverage for:

  • Ambulance Services
  • Ambulatory Surgical Centers
  • Blood (the first 3 units of blood are not covered unless you have the blood donated by you or someone else)
  • Chiropractic Services (limited)
  • Clinical Laboratory Services
  • Diabetes Supplies (note: insulin and certain medical supplies used to inject insulin, such as syringes, and some oral diabetic drugs may be covered by Medicare Prescription Drug coverage, Part D)
  • Doctor Services
  • Durable Medical Equipment (like walkers)
  • Emergency Department Services
  • Foot Exams and Treatment (if you have diabetes-related nerve damage and/or meet certain conditions)
  • Hearing and Balance Exams (if your doctor orders these tests to see if you need medical treatment. Hearing aids and exams for fitting hearing aids are not covered)
  • Home Health Services (covers only medically necessary services; you pay nothing)
  • Kidney Dialysis Services and Supplies
  • Mental Health Care (you pay 20% of the medicare-approved amount for a visit to a doctor or other health care provider to diagnose your condition; you pay 45% for treatment of your condition
  • Non-doctor Services (such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, social workers, physical therapists, and psychologists)
  • Outpatient Medical and Surgical Services and Supplies
  • Physical Therapy (there may be limits on these services and exceptions)
  • Prescription Drugs (limited number of drugs such as injections you get in a doctor's office, certain oral cancer drugs, drugs used with some types of durable medical equipment, such as a nebulizer or external infusion pump)
  • Prosthetic/Orthotic Items
  • Urgently-Needed Care

This is not meant to be a complete list of Part B coverages 

 

What is Medicare?: Part A | Part B | Part C | Part D

 

This section is meant to give you a brief overview of the various parts of Medicare.  For complete details please refer to the CMS Publication, Medicare and You