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What Is Medicare Part B?

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Nov 20, 2025

Medicare Part B is the part of Original Medicare that covers outpatient medical services

Medicare Part B is the part of Original Medicare that covers outpatient medical services, including doctor visits, preventive care, durable medical equipment, and medically necessary services. According to Medicare.gov, Part B “helps cover medically necessary services to diagnose or treat your medical condition and preventive services to prevent illness or detect it early.”Source: https://www.medicare.gov/part-b-coverage


What Medicare Part B Covers

1. Medically Necessary Services

These are services or supplies needed to diagnose or treat a medical condition. Part B covers things such as:

  • Doctor office visits

  • Outpatient medical care

  • Mental health outpatient services

  • Surgical services done as an outpatient

Source: https://www.medicare.gov/part-b-coverage/overview


2. Preventive Services

Many preventive services are covered at no cost, including:

  • Annual wellness visit

  • Cancer screenings

  • Vaccines (flu, COVID-19, pneumonia, Hepatitis B if eligible)

  • Cardiovascular screenings

  • Diabetes screenings

Source: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/preventive-screenings


3. Durable Medical Equipment (DME)

Part B covers medically necessary equipment such as:

  • Wheelchairs

  • Walkers

  • Hospital beds

  • Oxygen equipment

Source: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/durable-medical-equipment-dme-coverage


4. Ambulance Services

Medically necessary ground ambulance transportation is covered when other transportation would endanger your health.Source: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/ambulance-services


5. Home Health Services (When Medically Necessary)

While Part A may cover some home health services, Part B can also cover medically necessary intermittent skilled nursing and therapy services when criteria are met.Source: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/home-health-services


What Part B Does NOT Cover

Part B does not cover:

  • Routine dental care

  • Routine vision exams

  • Hearing aids

  • Long-term custodial care

Full list: https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/whats-not-covered-by-part-a-and-part-b


Costs Associated With Part B


Monthly Premium

Most people pay a standard monthly premium, which changes each year.Source: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs


Annual Deductible

Part B includes an annual deductible that must be met before Medicare begins paying its share.


Coinsurance

After the deductible is met, you usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most doctor services, outpatient therapy, and DME.Source: https://www.medicare.gov/part-b-costs


Who Is Eligible for Part B?

You’re eligible for Medicare Part B if:

  • You are age 65 or older and eligible for Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits,

  • You are under 65 and have received SSDI for 24 months,

  • You have ALS or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) in qualifying situations.

Source: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare


Enrollment in Part B


Automatic Enrollment

You are automatically enrolled if you’re receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits at age 65.Source: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/enrollment/automatic-enrollment


Manual Enrollment

If you’re not automatically enrolled, you must sign up through the Social Security Administration (SSA):https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/


Late Enrollment Penalty

If you delay enrolling in Part B without having other credible coverage, Medicare.gov states that you may pay a permanent late enrollment penalty.Source: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs/part-b-costs


Why Medicare Part B Is Important

Part B provides coverage for the medical services people use most often:

  • Routine doctor visits

  • Preventive screenings

  • Outpatient surgeries

  • Mental health care

  • Medical equipment

  • Necessary follow-up care

For seniors, caregivers, and healthcare providers—including home health and hospice—understanding Part B is essential to care planning and cost management.


Official Government Resources for More Information

All of these links come directly from government websites:

 

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