Medicare Part B Explained

The second part of the Medicare program is called Medicare Part B.

Medicare Part B Premiums

Most people have to pay a premium for Medicare Part B. The premium is usually deducted from a Social Security, Railroad Retirement or Civil Service Retirement check. The Medicare Part B premium can also be paid every quarter or through the electronic payment option. Medicare Premiums will be based on income beginning January of 2007.

What is Medicare Part B?

Medicare Part B is a medical insurance provided by the federal government to eligible beneficiaries. The coverage provided by Medicare Part B includes medically necessary doctor's services, outpatient care, and most other services that Medicare Part A does not cover.

What does Medicare Part B Cover?

Medicare Part B covers many services, tests, and preventive treatments that are common among health care patients. However Medicare Part B is still not a 100% insurance coverage plan. Medicare Part B helps cover only the medically necessary services including tests, labs, screenings, exams, lab tests, screening, bone mass measurement is covered every two years, lab Services such as blood tests or urinalysis,colorectal cancer screenings to find any pre-cancerous growths, annual fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy (every four years), screening colonoscopy (every ten years), or barium enema (every four years).

Diabetic screenings are covered by Medicare Part B if you have high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, obesity, or high blood sugar. Diabetic supplies covered include monitors, test strips, lancet devices, and therapeutic shoes. Diabetic self-management training is covered if prescribed by your doctor.

Cardiovascular screenings to help prevent heart attack or stroke are covered by Medicare Part B. A screening consists of testing your triglyceride, lipid, and cholesterol levels every five years.


Doctor, Hospital and Home Health Care


Home health services include only medically necessary part-time care and services such as skilled nursing care, physical or occupational therapy, home health aide service, speech language pathology, and medical social services. Medicare Part B also includes certain home use medical equipment such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, walkers, oxygen equipment, and other medical supplies.

Chiropractic services will be covered by Medicare Part B if it is to correct one or more of the bones that has moved out of place in your spine subluxation. Ambulance services are covered by Medicare Part B if any other form of transportation would endanger your health. Blood that you receive during an outpatient visit or another Part B covered service. Clinical trials may be covered by Medicare Part B if it will help to diagnose, prevent, or treat diseases.

Ambulatory surgery center fees are covered by Medicare Part B for approved services. Emergency room services for bad injuries, severe illness, or any time you believe your life is in danger. Doctor services do not include routine physical exams except the one time "Welcome to Medicare" exam.

Eyeglass coverage is limited to one pair of glasses and standard frames after cataract surgery.

Preventive Shots

Flu shots are covered by Medicare Part B one time per year during flu season.
Three hepatitis B shots are covered by Medicare Part B if you are at medium or high risk.

Additional services covered by Medicare Part B include hearing and balance exams,mammograms, dialysis, pap tests or pelvic exams, mental health care, medical nutrition therapy, hospital services, occupational therapy, outpatient surgery service and supplies, limited prescription drugs, practitioner services, physical therapy, prosthetic devices, and transplant services.