Why Medicare Part B is useful for you?

by Lighted R. Step-by-step guidance. Customized analysis and rec

Medicare Part B medical insurance is part of Original Medicare and covers medical services and supplies that are medically vital to treat your health condition. This can include outpatient care, preventive services, ambulance services, and durable medical equipment. It offers coverage for part-time or intermittent home health and rehabilitative services, such as physical therapy, if they are prescribed by a doctor to treat your condition. Many people get enrolled for Part B medical insurance automatically. In case you do not want it, you can opt out as well. This generally happens when an individual still has insurance coverage through union or employer health scheme. If your coverage is considered creditable, you don’t have to pay a penalty for signing up late. However, you should talk to the group benefits administrator of your plan before opting out of Part B.

Coverage under Part B Medical Insurance

Medical and other services: The Medicare Part B offers 80% of most of the services of doctors, outpatient treatments, and durable medical equipment (like oxygen or wheelchairs). You only need to pay the other 20%. This also pays for mental health care costs.

Laboratory and radiology services: This includes blood tests, X-rays, and other tests.Outpatient hospital services: Medicare Part B covers some of these as well. However, you should make a co-payment for outpatient hospital services. The exact amount varies according to the service.
Home health care: Medicare Part B pays for nurses and some therapists to provide occasional or part-time services at your home. As long as the provider is certified by Medicare, you don’t have to pay anything except for 20% of the charges for some medical equipment, such as wheelchairs and walkers.
Preventive services: Medicare Part B also provides for a number of tests, screenings, vaccinations, and a one-time physical exam and annual wellness exams. Many of these services are provided free at the time of visit. Part B also covers screening and counseling for alcohol use (for people who are not considered alcoholic), obesity screening and counseling, screening for depression, sexually transmitted infections screening and counseling, and cardiovascular behavioral counseling.
Blood for transfusions: After the first three pints within a calendar year, Medicare pays 80% of the costs for blood you need as an outpatient.

Eligibility for Medicare Part B

People who are entitled to premium-free Medicare Part A also become eligible for Medicare Part B by enrolling and paying a monthly premium. In case you are not eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A, you can still qualify for Medicare Part B by meeting the following requirements:

You must be 65 years or older.
You must be a US citizen, or a permanent resident lawfully residing in the US for at least five continuous years.
You might as well qualify for automatic Medicare Part B enrollment through disability. If you are under 65 and receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) disability benefits, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B after 24 months of disability benefits.

Premium for part B

You have to pay a monthly premium and a yearly deductible for Medicare Part B. The monthly premium amount may vary according to your specific situation. You might have to pay a higher premium if your yearly income goes beyond a certain amount. Additionally, if you have not enrolled in Medicare Part B when you were first eligible, you may have to pay a late-enrollment penalty in the form of a higher premium, unless you’re eligible for a Special Enrollment Period.