Medicare Part B

What is Medicare Part B?

Serving as the second part of Original Medicare, Medicare Part B acts as medical insurance for individuals 65 years of age or older and individuals with disabilities. The plan tends to provide broad coverage for preventive services, outpatient care, ambulance use, and medical equipment. The insurance will also cover intermittent or part-time rehabilitative and home health services, such as physical therapy.

What does Medicare Part B Cover?

Medicare Part B is a coverage that helps with the cost of preventative services and medical supplies. A few of the available preventive services to policy owners include a one-time preventative visit, hepatitis B and flu shots, cancer screenings, cardiovascular screenings, diabetes screenings, and much more. Below is a more comprehensive list of tests, preventive treatments, services, and supplies covered under Part B.

Preventive and Diagnostic Services

One of the benefits of Medicare Part B is the number of preventive and diagnostic services it provides. Routine yearly ‘Wellness’ visits, Glaucoma screenings, bone mass measurements, blood tests, and cancer screenings are all normal parts of the plan.

Individuals with high-risk factors for Diabetes, such as high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, obesity, or high blood sugar, are covered for screenings. Medicare Part B will also help with diabetic supplies and self-management training for beneficiaries.

Doctor, Hospital, and Home Health Care

Under Medicare Part B, short-term home health services and medically necessary intermittent care are provided to insurers. For those who need durable medical equipment or medical supplies like wheelchairs, hospital beds, CPAP devices, and oxygen equipment, this portion of Original Medicare will cover a portion, if not all the costs.

Sometimes due to illnesses, accidents, or emergencies, other medical services can be required. With Medicare Part B, chiropractic services to correct spinal issues, clinical trials, and emergency room services are all part of the coverage.

Preventive Shots

Every year different strains of the flu and other infectious diseases affect populations around the country and world. To help prevent getting or spreading infections, Medicare Part B provides preventive shots for the flu, pneumococcal, and hepatitis B.

Medicare Part B Premiums

As with most insurance, Medicare Part B requires a premium payment unless you qualify for financial assistance. There is an option to turn down this option and only retain coverage under Part A. Together, Part A and Part B form a reliable healthcare coverage, but it does not cover everything. Routine dental care and hearing exams, for example, are not covered in Original Medicare.

How We Can Help

Hitcho Insurance has supported clients and their families through the Medicare enrollment and coverage process for over 20 years. We get to know your goals and needs on a personal level through an in-depth one-on-one consultation process. It is our mission to work with you one step at a time until you are comfortable and understand all of the options available to you. To schedule a consultation with us, give us a call at (610) 694-9435.