{"id":53968,"date":"2022-10-17T14:43:51","date_gmt":"2022-10-17T18:43:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=53968"},"modified":"2026-01-15T15:27:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T20:27:13","slug":"what-is-medicare-part-b","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/what-is-medicare-part-b\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Medicare Part B?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Broadly speaking, Medicare Part B covers outpatient medical services. This part of Medicare encompasses most of the standard healthcare services, such as doctor visits, preventive screenings, and diagnostic testing.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-does-medicare-part-b-cover\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What does Medicare Part B cover?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicare.gov\/what-medicare-covers\/what-part-b-covers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">services that are covered by Medicare Part B<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preventive care and services<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Office visits<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Doctor services<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diagnostic testing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Laboratory tests and screenings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Outpatient procedures and surgery<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home health care<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ambulance services<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Durable medical equipment<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Outpatient care<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Outpatient mental health services<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mental health partial hospitalization programs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prescription drugs administered in an outpatient setting<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"what-s-not-covered\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What\u2019s not covered<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Part B does not cover inpatient care. Inpatient hospital stays and services are covered under <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/what-is-medicare-part-a\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Part A<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Part B does not cover outpatient procedures (cosmetic surgery, massage therapy, most dental care, routine foot care, etc.) that are not considered medically necessary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some other items not covered by Medicare include dental, vision, and hearing coverage, with limited exceptions. You could potentially receive some of these additional benefits by enrolling in a Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) plan that covers these items instead of Original Medicare.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/original-medicare-vs-medicare-advantage\/\"><b>Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"who-is-eligible-for-medicare-part-b\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who is eligible for Medicare Part B?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare is insurance for people aged 65 or older, or younger people with certain health conditions. If you\u2019re younger than 65, have Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease,<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/chronic-kidney-disease\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">End-Stage-Renal Disease (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ESRD<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), or have been on Social Security Disability for 24 months, you may qualify for Medicare.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don\u2019t meet the requirements to receive premium-free Medicare Part A, you can enroll in Medicare Part B if the following criteria are met:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">65 or older\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A permanent resident who has been living in the U.S. continuously for five years prior to application<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S. citizen<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A lawfully admitted alien who has come legally for permanent residence must reside in the United States for five continuous years before filing for Medicare.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-much-does-medicare-part-b-cost\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much does Medicare Part B cost?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The standard Part B premium amount may be different from one year to the next. For example, between 2020 and 2026, the standard Medicare Part B premium went from $144.60 to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$202.90<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Monthly premiums may be adjusted based on projected Medicare spending, inflation, and other factors. While some pay the minimum, others with higher incomes may have to pay more. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Medicare Part B premium can be paid directly or will be automatically deducted for Medicare beneficiaries who are receiving Social Security benefits. They&#8217;ll have to pay directly if they aren\u2019t yet receiving Social Security benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depending on income, an Income Related Monthly Adjusted Amount (IRMAA) may change the monthly premium. In this situation, an additional cost is added to the standard Medicare Part B premium.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare is billed quarterly for those who are not starting Social Security benefits. However, an individual may elect to have a monthly bill in place of a quarterly bill.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Part B doesn\u2019t pay the full cost of services. It has an annual deductible, which varies, much like the premiums do. For example, between 2020 and 2026, the deductible went from $198 to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$283<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After the deductible is met, you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most covered services.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can see any healthcare provider nationwide who accepts the Medicare assignment. If you go to a provider that accepts Medicare but not an assignment, you could be subject to up to a 15% excess charge.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"medicare-part-b-enrollment\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Part B enrollment<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enrollment in Medicare Part B may be automatic and can be completed online, in person, or some cases, over the phone. For the majority of Americans, you should apply during your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/medicare-open-enrollment\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Initial Enrollment Period<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This begins three months before you turn 65 and continues for three months after the month of your birthday.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period, you can enroll during the General Enrollment Period. The GEP begins on Jan. 1 and continues until March 31 annually. Enrolling during the GEP Medicare Part B will begin on the first day of the following month in which you apply.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes, beneficiaries will delay their Medicare Part B and continue to work. In these cases, they may have a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicare.gov\/basics\/get-started-with-medicare\/get-more-coverage\/joining-a-plan\/special-enrollment-periods\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Special Enrollment Period<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that lasts eight months after their employer coverage ends. Medicare Part B will begin the month after the application for Medicare is received.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you delayed your Medicare Part B, you\u2019d need to provide forms filled out by your group benefits administrator showing you had creditable coverage. You may be subject to the Medicare Part B late enrollment penalty if you delayed your Part B coverage and did not continue <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cms.gov\/Medicare\/Prescription-Drug-Coverage\/CreditableCoverage\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">creditable coverage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s important to know that COBRA and Veterans Affairs health coverage isn\u2019t considered creditable for Medicare Part B.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-save-money-on-medicare-part-b\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to save money on Medicare Part B<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare coverage is a great starting point, but there may be out-of-pocket expenses, and there is no maximum spending limit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"medicare-savings-programs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Savings Programs<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/medicare-savings-program\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Savings Programs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (MSP) are a great option to help reduce the costs of Part B. If you qualify for an MSP,\u00a0 it would help pay for part of your Part A and Part B deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. MSP qualifications are determined by the state, and in many cases, you must have income and resources below a specified limit to be eligible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"medigap\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medigap<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another option that may reduce Part B costs is Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/what-is-medigap\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medigap<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Medigap policies are designed to help fill in the \u201cgaps\u201d in Original Medicare and are sold by private companies. These policies may help pay the remaining costs from Original Medicare, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. If a service is required, Medicare will pay its share of the covered healthcare cost, and then the Medigap insurance plan will pay its share.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"medicare-advantage\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Advantage<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A third option is a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/what-is-medicare-advantage\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Advantage Plan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These plans are sometimes called Part C of Medicare. They combine your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits into one privately-administered plan. These plans are administered by private insurance companies and have their own fee schedules.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Part C plans must cover the same benefits as Original Medicare and have a cap on what an individual can spend during a year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These plans are popular among Medicare beneficiaries because they typically include prescription drug coverage and additional benefits like dental or vision coverage that aren\u2019t included with Original Medicare.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"singlecare\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SingleCare<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prescription drugs you receive from the pharmacy <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/medicare-part-b-drugs\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">aren\u2019t covered under Medicare Part B<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This coverage can be through a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Part D stand-alone prescription drug plan. These plans have different <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/medicare-donut-hole\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">coverage phases<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/medicare-formulary\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">formularies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of drugs that they cover.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medication costs may still be high. If you have a prescription that is not on your plan\u2019s formulary or is very expensive, there are alternative ways to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicare.gov\/your-medicare-costs\/part-b-costs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lower the costs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SingleCare is a free discount prescription program designed to help people with high-cost drugs or no prescription coverage. You can save significant amounts of money on prescriptions. To get your free <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription-discount-card\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">discount card<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, simply go to SingleCare, and you can text, download, and email the card to yourself and start saving today.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Broadly speaking, Medicare Part B covers outpatient medical services. This part of Medicare encompasses most of the standard healthcare services, such as doctor visits, preventive screenings, and diagnostic testing. What does Medicare Part B cover? The services that are covered by Medicare Part B include: Preventive care and services Office visits Doctor services Diagnostic testing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":133,"featured_media":53973,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[608,691,15],"coauthors":[20918],"class_list":["post-53968","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-company","tag-health-insurance","tag-healthcare-costs","tag-medicare","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What is Medicare Part B? | SingleCare<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Medicare Part B covers outpatient medical procedures and services like doctor visits or medical devices. Learn about the Part B premium and how to enroll.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/what-is-medicare-part-b\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What is Medicare Part B?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Medicare Part B covers outpatient medical procedures and services like doctor visits or medical devices. 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