What Medicare Part B covers

What Medicare Part B covers

Because many people are confused as to what each part of Medicare covers, in this post we will go over what Medicare Part B covers.  Understanding what Medicare Part B covers and doesn’t cover is crucial for individuals who rely on this program for their healthcare needs.  Although Part B provides extensive coverage for various essential medical services, it is important to consider additional coverage options.  These options help provide comprehensive healthcare coverage access to members for services not 100% covered by original Medicare plan.

Medicare Part B Covers:

1. Part B provides coverage for a wide array of services provided by your doctor.  The appointments can include office visits, consultations & preventative services as well as screenings for various conditions.
2. If you require any outpatient care, Part B will cover it.  Outpatient care may include some services you receive at the hospital as well as various other healthcare facilities.
3. Preventive services are a very important part of Part B coverage.  Preventive care, includes screenings for cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes, among others. These screenings are important to have in order to detect health issues early and promote overall wellness.
4. It pays for Medical Supplies when they are medically necessary.  Supplies include things such as; blood sugar monitors, lancets, and test strips for diabetics as well as durable medical equipment such as wheel chairs, walkers or hospital beds when it is specified as medically necessary.
5. Some Home Health Services are covered by Part B.  As previously stated, Part B covers specific medically necessary services.  If you require the care of a home health agency under certain circumstances, it is covered.

Click here for a list of covered DME 

Medicare Part B Doesn’t Cover:

1. Long-Term Care is not covered by Medicare Part B.  This includes any custodial care you receive in a nursing home or assisted living facility.
2. If you require routine dental care, such as check-ups, cleanings, fillings, and dentures, they are not covered by Medicare Part B.
3. Routine care for vision is also not covered.  Routine vision care includes, eye exams for prescribing glasses. Although in specific cases where you require treatment for eye disease or an injury, you will be covered.
4. The cost of hearing aids or exams is also not covered by Medicare Part B.
5. Although some Medicare Advantage plans may offer members coverage for acupuncture services, original Medicare including Part B does not cover this treatment option.
6. This one is not going to be a surprise; procedures considered solely cosmetic, such as facelifts or other elective surgeries, aren’t covered by Medicare Part B.

Some things to remember:

Part B does not cover 100% of your approved medical costs.  In most cases, it covers about 80% of your cost after your meet your annual deductible.

This leaves about 20% of the cost for you to pay.  That is why many beneficiaries opt for supplemental insurance to help cover the gaps in their healthcare coverage needs. Both Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans are popular options that can provide additional coverage to beneficiaries.

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