What is Medicare Part B?

Medicare Part B is medical coverage for people with Original Medicare benefits. It covers doctor visits, preventative care, tests, durable medical equipment, and supplies. Medicare Part B pays 80 percent of most medically necessary healthcare services.

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Medicare Part B covers outpatient medical services.
Medicare Part B has a monthly premium and an annual deductible.
After the annual deductible is met, Medicare pays 80 percent of all covered services.
Assistance programs and supplemental insurances can help with the remaining 20 percent of Part B costs.
Beneficiaries can enroll in Medicare Part B during their Initial Enrollment Period or the General Enrollment Period.
For most beneficiaries, the monthly Part B premium is deducted from their Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits.
Medicare Part B coverage will be terminated if its monthly premium has not been paid.

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What Does Medicare Part B Cover?

Medicare Part B covers preventative care services and most medically necessary outpatient services. Preventative care services, such as vaccines and screenings, help prevent or detect illnesses early on. Medically necessary health services include the health services and supplies needed to diagnose and treat medical conditions.[mfn referencenumber=1]Medicare.gov, “What Part B covers“, Accessed October 21, 2021[/mfn]

What Does Medicare Part B Not Cover?

Medicare Part B does not cover many common medical services and supplies deemed medically unnecessary. This includes routine dental care, vision care, hearing care, and cosmetic surgery. Part B does not cover inpatient care services that are covered by Medicare Part A.[mfn referencenumber=2]Medicare.gov, “What’s not covered by Part A & Part B?“, Accessed October 21, 2021[/mfn]

Does Part B Cover Prescription Drugs?

Medicare Part B provides limited coverage for outpatient prescription drugs, but only under certain conditions. Drugs covered by Part B are usually medication given at a doctor’s office [mfn referencenumber=3]Medicare.gov, “Prescription drugs (outpatient)“, Accessed October 21, 2021[/mfn]

Drugs used with an item of durable medical equipment (DME)
Some antigens
Injectable osteoporosis drugs
Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents
Blood clotting factors
Injectable and infused drugs
Oral End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) drugs
Parenteral and enteral nutrition (intravenous and tube feeding)
Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) provided in the home
Flu shots, pneumococcal shots, Hepatitis B shots (vaccinations)
Transplant / immunosuppressive drugs

Other prescription drugs beyond this list are covered by Medicare Part D plans. Drugs covered by Part D are usually self-administered or administered by a pharmacist.[mfn referencenumber=4]Medicare.gov, “Prescription drugs (outpatient)“, Accessed October 21, 2021[/mfn].

How Much Does Part B Cost?

Medicare Part B coverage has three costs:

Monthly Premium
Annual Deductible
Coinsurance

The Part B premium ([medicare_costs value=partb-premium-standard] in [medicare_costs value=medicare-cost-year]) must be paid each month to benefit from Part B coverage. There are a few services covered at no cost, such as the annual wellness visit, however, most Medicare-approved healthcare services have an out-of-pocket cost.[mfn referencenumber=5]Medicare.gov, “Medicare costs at a glance“, Accessed October 21, 2021[/mfn]

The first out-of-pocket cost is the annual deductible ([medicare_costs value=partb-deductible] in [medicare_costs value=medicare-cost-year]). Beneficiaries pay the Part B deductible before Medicare starts paying its share. After the annual Part B deductible is paid, beneficiaries pay a 20 percent coinsurance for each Medicare-approved service.[mfn referencenumber=5]Medicare.gov, “Medicare costs at a glance“, Accessed October 21, 2021[/mfn]

Part B Late Enrollment Penalty

If a beneficiary does not enroll in Part B when they are first eligible, they will have to pay a late enrollment penalty. A beneficiary’s Part B premium will increase by ten percent for every twelve-month period they were eligible for Part B but were not enrolled unless they had other creditable coverage.[mfn referencenumber=6]Medicare.gov, “Part B late enrollment penalty“, Accessed October 21, 2021[/mfn]

How To Get Help Paying For Part B

Financial aid is available through Medicaid and the Medicare Savings Program (MSP). Medicaid assists low-income families and individuals. Certain low-income Medicare beneficiaries can also qualify for Medicaid and receive dual-eligible healthcare benefits. Medicare is the primary payer and Medicaid assists with premiums and out-of-pocket costs.[mfn referencenumber=7]Medicare.gov, “Medicaid“, Accessed October 25, 2021[/mfn]

Qualifying Medicare beneficiaries that do not qualify for full Medicaid may qualify for premium and copayment assistance through the Medicare Savings Program. The level of MSP assistance is based on a beneficiary’s income. Three of the four MSPs assist with Part B costs:[mfn referencenumber=8]Medicare.gov, “Medicare Savings Programs“, Accessed October 21, 2021[/mfn]

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)
Qualifying Individual (QI)

Additional Insurance

Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) is another tool beneficiaries can use to assist with Medicare Part B costs. All current Medigap plans (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N) cover some or all of a Medicare beneficiary’s Part B coinsurance. A few cover Part B Excess Charges, as well. Medicare Supplement Plan C and Plan F cover the Part B deductible, however, these plans are no longer available to people who qualified for Medicare on or after 1 January 2020.[mfn referencenumber=9]Medicare.gov, “How to compare Medigap policies“, Accessed October 21, 2021[/mfn]

When To Enroll In Part B

Most people qualify to enroll in Medicare Part B during their Initial Enrollment Period at age 65. People qualified for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) because of certain disabilities are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B on their 25th month of SSDI payments.[mfn referencenumber=10]CMS.gov, “Top 5 things you need to know about Medicare Enrollment”, Accessed September 21, 2021[/mfn]

Is Medicare Part B Mandatory?

Medicare Part B is optional. It is not mandatory to enroll in Medicare Part B at age 65 or when receiving Social Security disability benefits. However, it appears mandatory due to the potential penalties if not enrolled.

When a beneficiary has creditable health coverage through an employer or union they can delay enrollment until they no longer have coverage. Beneficiaries with creditable coverage that have decided to delay Part B enrollment receive a two months Special Enrollment Period to make Medicare enrollment elections once their creditable coverage has ended.[mfn referencenumber=11]Medicare.gov, “Special circumstances (Special Enrollment Periods)“, Accessed October 25, 2021[/mfn]

Getting Part B Assistance?

For questions about their Medicare Part B coverage and costs, beneficiaries can speak with a Medicare professional at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY: 1-877-486-2048.[mfn referencenumber=12]Medicare.gov, “Pay Part A & Part B premiums“, Accessed October 20, 2021[/mfn]