What Does Medicare Part B Cover?

Medicare Part B isn't free, and it doesn't cover everything

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Medicare is a federal health insurance program for Americans who are at least 65 years old, disabled, or have end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). It’s split into four parts: A, B, C, and D. Part B is referred to as medical insurance, and it's the portion of Medicare that more closely resembles traditional health insurance.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicare covers Americans who are at least 65 years old or who are disabled, as well as those suffering from end-stage renal disease or Lou Gehrig's disease.
  • Part B covers outpatient and medical services, as well as preventative services and other medically necessary intervention.
  • Part B does not cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, prescription drugs, dental care, or vision care that's not related to illness or injury. 
  • Medicare Part B premiums averaged $170.10 a month in 2022.

What Medicare Part B Covers

Medicare Part B covers outpatient/medical services, some of which are subject to a deductible and a copay, but many are free.

Preventive Services

Preventive health care services are typically free provided that you see a doctor or health care provider who accepts assignments. This means that they’ll accept the Medicare-approved amounts as full payment. These are services that help to prevent illness, keep you healthy, and detect conditions, including:

  • Bone density measurements
  • Cardiovascular disease screenings
  • Mammograms
  • Cancer screenings (such as for cervical, colorectal, or prostate)
  • Depression screenings
  • Diabetes screenings
  • Flu shots
  • Glaucoma tests if you're considered to be at high risk for this disease
  • A yearly “wellness” visit

Note

You can refer to the Medicare and You handbook for a complete list of the preventive services covered by Medicare Part B,

Other Medically Necessary Services

Additionally, Medicare Part B helps to cover other services or supplies that are necessary to treat or diagnose a medical condition, including services from doctors or health care providers, outpatient care, home health care, and durable medical equipment.

Here are some examples:

  • Ambulance services
  • Cardiac rehabilitation
  • A portion of outpatient chemotherapy
  • Implanted defibrillator
  • Diabetes supplies
  • Durable medical equipment like oxygen equipment, wheelchairs, and walkers
  • Certain types of medically necessary home health services
  • Kidney dialysis and supplies
  • Physical therapy
  • Second surgical opinions
  • Tests such as MRIs, CT scans, EKG/ECGs, and a CPAP trial for up to three months if you've been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea
  • Lab services, such as blood tests, urinalysis, and tests on tissue samples

This isn’t an exhaustive list. Additional services may also be covered.

Unlike preventive services, these often come with a deductible and a copay of 20% of the Medicare-approved cost. There's no yearly limit on how much you may have to pay out-of-pocket for health care services with Part B.

Note

Many people also have a Medicare Supplement policy (Medigap) to provide more complete coverage and annual out-of-pocket cost limits.

What Isn't Covered by Medicare Part B

Medicare Part B doesn’t cover expenses that are covered by other parts of Medicare, such as inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and prescription drugs. 

There are also a few notable types of care not covered. Most dental care, including dentures, is not covered under any portion of Medicare Parts A and B. Eye exams related to prescribing glasses (but not to an illness or issue), cosmetic surgery, hearing aids, fitting exams related to hearing aids, and concierge services aren’t covered under Medicare Parts A and B. You won’t find long-term care as a covered service.

Long-Term Care

Also known as "custodial care," long-term care is non-medical care related to the six activities of daily living: bathing, dressing, eating, transferring, toileting, and continence.

This lack of coverage isn't unique to Medicare Parts A and B. Most health insurance plans, including Medigap coverage, don't cover these services, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Medicare Part A does cover a portion of the costs for skilled nursing home care, but only as an inpatient and not on a long-term basis. Many people need skilled nursing home care due to a disability or disease, but they don’t meet the minimum hospital stay requirement. You can't count on Medicare Part A or Part B to cover nursing home or long-term care expenses if this describes your situation.

Note

Medicaid (not Medicare) may cover long-term care costs if you're eligible and your nursing home or long-term care is deemed to be medically necessary.

Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans

Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans, also known as Medicare Part C, are health care plans from private companies that are approved by Medicare.

They include Medicare Part A and B, and typically also include Part D along with other benefits that Medicare plans lack. For example, it’s common for MA plans to include vision, hearing, and dental services. They may also offer lower out-of-pocket costs with a yearly out-of-pocket limit. However, they typically require that you use doctors in the plan’s network.

Note

It’s a good idea to shop around when you qualify for Medicare. Compare the costs and benefits of Medicare Advantage plans to Original Medicare to find the best fit. 

How To Enroll in Medicare Part B

Ready to enroll in Medicare Part B? Here are the steps to follow:

Check Your Eligibility

Before you enroll in any part of Medicare, you have to be eligible. You usually become eligible three months before you turn 65. However, you may also be eligible earlier if you are disabled or have ESRD or ALS. Additionally, you must be entitled to benefits based on your earnings, or the earnings of a child, spouse, or parent.

Note

Those who have already been receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits for at least four months before turning 65 will be automatically enrolled in Part A and B when they turn 65.

Apply for Medicare

You’ll have three options for applying when you're eligible if you’re not automatically enrolled:

  1. You can apply to get Medicare coverage alone through the Social Security Administration (SSA).
  2. You can apply for Social Security benefits.
  3. You can apply for Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits.

You'll be automatically enrolled in premium-free Part A coverage and can choose if you want Part B if you apply for Social Security or RRB benefits.

You can apply for Medicare or Medicare with Social Security benefits on the SSA’s website, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at your local Social Security office. If you or your spouse worked for a railroad, you can apply for RRB benefits by contacting the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-8​77-772-5772.

Note

Enrollment won't be automatic if you’re not entitled to premium-free Part A. You’ll have to enroll with the SSA and pay for both Premium Part A and Part B during a valid enrollment period.

Enroll During an Enrollment Period

You can only enroll in Medicare Part B during an initial enrollment period, a general enrollment period, or a special enrollment period. 

  • Initial enrollment period (IEP): A seven-month period that starts three months before you turn 65 and ends three months after. 
  • General enrollment period: An annual enrollment period that runs from Jan. 1 to March 31. Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, coverage begins the month after you sign up.
  • Special enrollment period: An eight-month period that starts when employment or group health plan coverage ends.

Note

You may have to pay a late enrollment penalty of up to 10% for each full 12 months in the period that you could have had Part B but didn’t enroll if you don’t enroll when you're first eligible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you sign up for Medicare Part B?

You can sign up for Medicare Part B by visiting the Social Security website. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (1-800-325-0778 for TTY users), mail in a form, or visit your local Social Security office.

How much does Medicare Part A cost?

Medicare Part A is free for those who have paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters. You can buy Medicare Part A if you didn't work enough quarters. The amount you'll pay is based on the number of quarters you worked. Those who worked less than 30 quarters will pay $499 per month in 2022. Those who worked at least 30 quarters are eligible for a reduced premium rate of $274 per month.

How much does Medicare Part B cost?

Medicare Part B total monthly premium amounts range from $170.10 to $578.30 in 2022, depending on your income and filing status. The standard premium was $148.50 per month in 2021. This increased to $170.10 in 2022.

Additional research by Jessica Walrack
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Sources
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. "Enrolling in Medicare Part A & Part B," Page 5.

  2. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. "Preventative Services."

  3. Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. “Medicare & You,” Page 29.

  4. Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. “Medicare & You,” Pages 29-54.

  5. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. "Medicare & You," Page 55.

  6. U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. "Long-Term Care."

  7. Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. “Medicare & You,” Pages 28-29.

  8. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. "How Can I Pay for Nursing Home Care?"

  9. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. "Medicare & You," Pages 61-65.

  10. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. "Original Medicare (Part A and B) Eligibility and Enrollment.”

  11. ​​Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. "Ready To Sign Up for Part A & Part B.”

  12. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. "When Does Medicare Coverage Start?"

  13. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. "Medicare & You," Page 23.

  14. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. ”2022 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles/2022 Medicare Part D Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts.”

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