Part B helps cover medically-necessary services like doctors’ services, outpatient care, and other medical services. Part B also covers some preventive services. You can find out if you have Part B by looking at your Medicare card.

Medically-necessary services—Services or supplies that are needed for the diagnosis or treatment of your medical condition and meet accepted standards of medical practice.

Preventive services—Health care to prevent illness or detect illness at an early stage, when treatment is most likely to work best (for example, Pap tests, flu shots, and prostate cancer screenings).

Your doctor or other health care provider can help you better understand the preventive services Medicare covers and will tell you which services you need.

Your Medicare and You Handbook include an alphabetical list of common services covered by Medicare Part B. To find out if Medicare covers a service that’s not included on this list, visit www.medicare.gov and select, “Find Out What Medicare Covers.” You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1‑800‑633‑4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

What You Pay for Medicare Part B Services?

Costs for Part B services vary depending on whether you have Original Medicare or are in a Medicare health plan. You generally have to pay for the doctor’s visit, even if there is no cost for the service itself. If the Part B deductible applies, you must pay all costs until you meet the yearly Part B deductible before Medicare begins to pay its share ($162 each calendar year). Then, you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount of the service. You can save money if you choose doctors or providers who accept assignment. You also may be able to save money on your Medicare costs if you have limited income and resources.

Save Even More: The best way to save money is to consider joining a Medicare Supplement (MediGap) or a Medicare Advantage Plan. These health insurance products generally cover the Part A and B deductibles as well as the co-insurance.