How Medicare Part B Works

If you are turning 65 or you have become eligible for Medicare for another reason, you are probably confused about the different parts. There are two parts including A and B. You can also opt for  Part C which is comprised of independently sold insurance plans as well as Part D which is for prescription drug coverage.

 
However you get Medicare, you get Part B, generally speaking. This is the case whether you choose the “original” form which is what most people automatically get, or you choose an Advantage or Part C plan. Part B is medical insurance that includes doctor’s care, outpatient services, durable medical equipment and home health care.

 

Medicare Part B in More Detail

Part B takes care of those medical services which are deemed medically necessary. In Medicare terms, that means that the services and supplies are necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of a disease, injury or illness.

These services must fall under accepted standards of medical care, according to Medicare. This means that most naturopathic services would not be able to be covered under Part B if you chose to take that path for your care.

Some Part B services are preventative. This means that things like breast cancer screenings or cardiovascular disease screenings are covered.  Colorectal cancer screenings are also covered.  Other services that are covered are three month’s worth of CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure services.

Some of the durable equipment covered under Part B includes walkers or diabetes supplies. For diabetics, if the insulin is necessary to your health that will also be covered. In some cases, however, insulin is covered by Part D. It will also be important to understand the benefits of enrolling in a New Jersey supplement plan as opposed to a Medicare advantage plan.

Very often people want to consult with another doctor to get a second opinion regarding a proposed surgery. These second opinions are covered under Part B.

Flu shots are covered at least once per flu season. You can also get a glaucoma test once a year if you are at a high risk for it.

Hearing exams might be covered if your doctor deems them to be necessary as part of determining how to treat you for a hearing problem. Also, you may get one pair of eyeglasses if you get cataract surgery wherein you are given an intraocular lens.

There are many more health services covered under this section of Medicare. You can find out more by visiting Medicare online.