Medicare Part B Part B, also known as medical insurance, is the part of Medicare that covers most medically necessary doctors’ services, preventive care, hospital outpatient care, durable medical equipment (DME), laboratory tests, x-rays, mental health services, and some home health care and ambulance services. provides outpatient An outpatient is a patient who has not been formally admitted into the hospital as an inpatient. Most outpatient care is covered under Medicare Part B (medical insurance). /medical coverage. The list below provides a summary of Part B-covered services and coverage rules:
- Provider services: Medically necessary Medically necessary refers to procedures, services, or equipment that meet accepted medical standards and are necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of a medical condition. services you receive from a licensed health professional.
- Durable medical equipment (DME): This is equipment that serves a medical purpose, is able to withstand repeated use, and is appropriate for use in the home. Examples include walkers, wheelchairs, and oxygen tanks. You may purchase or rent DME from a Medicare-approved supplier after your provider certifies you need it.
- Home health services: Services covered if you are homebound and need skilled nursing or therapy care.
- Ambulance services: This is emergency transportation, typically to and from hospitals. Coverage for non-emergency ambulance/ ambulette An ambulette is a wheelchair-accessible van that provides non-emergency transportation for people with disabilities. transportation is limited to situations in which there is no safe alternative transportation available, and where the transportation is medically necessary.
- Preventive services: These are screenings and counseling intended to prevent illness, detect conditions, and keep you healthy. In most cases, preventive care is covered by Medicare with no coinsurance.
- Therapy services: These are outpatient physical, speech, and occupational therapy Occupational therapy is therapy that helps you regain the ability to do usual daily activities by yourself, such as eating and putting on clothes. services provided by a Medicare-certified Medicare-certified means offering services at a level of quality approved by Medicare. Medicare will not pay for services received from a health care provider that is not Medicare-certified. therapist.
- Mental health services.
- X-rays and lab tests.
- Chiropractic care when manipulation of the spine is medically necessary to fix a subluxation of the spine (when one or more of the bones of the spine move out of position).
- Select prescription drugs, including immunosuppressant drugs, some anti-cancer drugs, some anti-emetic drugs, some dialysis Dialysis is the treatment used to artificially cleanse your blood of toxins when your kidneys no longer work. drugs, and drugs that are typically administered by a physician.
This list includes commonly covered services and items, but it is not a complete list. Keep in mind that Medicare does not usually pay the full cost of your care, and you will likely be responsible for some portion of the cost-sharing (deductibles, coinsurances, copayments) for Medicare-covered services.