Medicare Overview
Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B can bring up many questions, and we’re here to help you understand it clearly. This guide explains Part B medical insurance coverage, including doctor visits and other outpatient services. Review the highlights and FAQs below, or reach out for help comparing your options.
Keep reading or jump to our Highlights and Frequently Asked Questions.
What is Medicare Part B?
Medicare Part B is your medical insurance. While Medicare Part A covers hospital stays, Part B is designed to cover a wide range of outpatient services and supplies that are medically necessary to treat your health condition. Think of it as the coverage you use for your regular doctor visits and preventive care. Understanding Part B is key to ensuring you have comprehensive health coverage.
What Does Medicare Part B Cover?
Part B helps pay for services and supplies that you receive as an outpatient. Key coverage includes:
- Doctor’s Services: Covers visits to your primary care doctor and specialists, including services you receive while hospitalized.
- Outpatient Care: Includes care you receive in a hospital outpatient department, emergency room, or outpatient surgery center.
- Preventive Services: Covers wellness visits, flu shots, cancer screenings, and other services to prevent illness or detect it at an early stage.
- Durable Medical Equipment (DME): Helps pay for items like walkers, wheelchairs, and oxygen equipment prescribed by a doctor for use at home.
- Ambulance Services: Covers ground ambulance transportation when you need to be transported to a hospital or skilled nursing facility.
Who Is Eligible for Medicare Part B?
Eligibility for Part B generally follows the same rules as Part A. You are eligible if you are 65 or older and a U.S. citizen or a legal resident for at least five years. If you are eligible for premium-free Part A, you are also eligible to enroll in Part B. You can also qualify if you are under 65 and have a qualifying disability or specific health condition like ESRD or ALS. Unlike Part A, Part B is optional, but you may face penalties if you delay enrollment without having other qualifying coverage.
What Are the Costs for Medicare Part B?
Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B. The costs are important to factor into your budget.
- Standard Monthly Premium: The standard Part B premium is $202.90 per month (for most people) in 2026. This amount can be higher depending on your income.
- Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA): If your income is above a certain level, you will pay the standard premium plus an extra amount called IRMAA. Social Security will notify you if this applies to you.
- Annual Deductible: You must pay an annual deductible before Part B starts to pay. For 2026, the Part B deductible is $283.
- Coinsurance: After your deductible is met, you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most covered services.
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Medicare Part B
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to enroll in Part B if I'm still working?
If you have health coverage from a current employer (with 20 or more employees), you may be able to delay Part B enrollment without penalty. This allows you to avoid paying the monthly premium while you have other coverage. When you retire, you will get a Special Enrollment Period to sign up.
What is the Part B late enrollment penalty?
If you don’t sign up for Part B when you’re first eligible and don’t have other qualifying coverage, you may face a late enrollment penalty. The penalty is an additional 10% of the standard premium for each full 12-month period you were eligible but didn’t enroll. This penalty is permanent and added to your premium for as long as you have Part B.
Does Part B cover vision or dental care?
No, Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not cover routine dental care, eye exams for glasses, or hearing aids. Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer these extra benefits, which is a key reason why some people choose them over Original Medicare.
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Important Highlights
Medicare Part B is your medical insurance, covering doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and medical equipment.
After meeting an annual deductible, you are typically responsible for 20% of the cost for most Part B-covered services.
Enrolling in Part B when you first become eligible is crucial to avoid a permanent late enrollment penalty.
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