Medicare Part B insurance helps pay services like doctor’s office visits, outpatient care in hospitals and clinics, laboratory tests, some diagnostic screenings, some
preventive care and some
skilled nursing care at home if you cannot leave the home. It also covers most doctor services you receive as a hospital inpatient, although other hospital services are covered by
Part A.
What will you get help with?
-
Doctor's visit (including an annual physical exam) -
Ambulatory surgery center services -
Outpatient medical services -
Some preventive care, like flu and pneumonia shots
-
Clinical laboratory services (blood, tests, urinalysis, etc.) -
X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, EKGs, and some other diagnostic tests -
Some diagnostic screenings, like colorectal and prostate cancer screenings, and mammograms -
Durable medical equipment for use at home (oxygen, wheelchairs, walkers, etc.)
-
Emergency room services -
Skilled nursing care and health aid services on a part-time or intermittent basis for those who cannot leave the home -
Mental health care as an outpatient -
A few prescription drugs administered by a doctor, like chemotherapy drugs
These are examples of the most significant items Part B will help you with. For a comprehensive list, visit Medicare.gov. Or contact Medicare Made Clear at 1-877-619-5582, TTY 711. Representatives are available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, 7 days a week.
What preventive services does Medicare Part B cover?
Medicare Part B covers the following preventive services. Many of these services are provided annually at no cost to you. You can visit Medicare.gov for details about coverage and costs for these services.
- Annual routine physical exam
- Glaucoma tests
- Smoking cessation
- Diabetes screenings
- Voluntary HIV screening
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
- Cardiovascular screenings
- EKG screening
- Flu shot
- Pneumococcal shot
- Cervical and vaginal cancer screening
- Colon cancer screenings
- Prostate cancer screenings
- Bones mass measurement
- Breast cancer screening
- Diabetes self-management training
- Medical nutrition therapy services
- Hepatitis B shots
What limits are there in Medicare Part B coverage?
As a general rule, Medicare Part B doesn’t limit the number of covered services you can receive, as long as your care is medically necessary to treat an illness or condition. However, there are limits on a few services. For example, there are limits on the amount Medicare Part B will pay in a single year for occupational therapy and speech therapy. Some
preventive care and services are covered only at specific intervals, like once a year for a flu shot.
Medicare Part B offers the same benefits throughout the United States. You are not limited to a particular state or region for your care.
What won't you get help with?
Medicare Part B focuses on helping you pay the costs of medically necessary care when you’re sick.
- Part B only covers eye, teeth or hearing care in very limited situations.
- It won’t pay for medical care you receive outside the United States, except in a few very limited situations.
- It won’t cover the cost of help with the activities of daily life, like eating, bathing or getting dressed.