Find Out How Medicare May Cover Your Medical Costs

Medicare Part B covers the cost of medical insurance. You can take this coverage for outpatient services. Part A and Part B of Medicare both make the original Medicare. Almost 67% of people using Medicare were registered in original Medicare at the end of 2016. A variety of important medical outpatient services are covered by Part B. Following services are covered by Part B.

 
  • Emergency ambulance transportation
  • Chemotherapy for cancer patients
  • Medical equipment (wheelchair, walkers, oxygen equipment)
  • Kidney dialysis
  • Emergency room care
  • Occupational therapy
  • Physical therapy
  • Laboratory testing
  • Mental health care and outpatient hospital care
  • Transplants

Preventive services include cancer screening, measurements for bone density, screening for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and sexually transmitted diseases. Vaccination for pneumococcal disease, flu, and hepatitis B is also included in preventive services. Some services are not covered by Medicare Part B and you have to pay for them out of pocket. These non-covered services are routine physical examination, prescribed drugs, vision care, dental care, cosmetic surgery, hearing aids, long-term care, and alternative health services (massage and acupuncture). 

The eligibility criteria are the same as in Medicare Part A. If you qualify for premium-free Medicare A, you are also eligible for Part B. People who are paying Medicare taxes while working are eligible for both parts.  If you are not paying taxes for Medicare and you need to buy Medicare Part A and Part B, you should be a resident of the United States and age should be above 65.  U.S. resident means, you should be a citizen or legal permanent resident for five years.

You need to pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part B that is $148 for the year 2021. The amount of monthly premium may increase if you have a higher income. Your income in 2021 will be calculated from the tax return of 2019. A deductible for Part B is $203 for 2021. After meeting the cost of deductibles, you have to pay for coinsurance that is 20% of the total cost in 2021. Some groups of people automatically get enrolled in Part B. You can also choose to delay Part B of Medicare. If you do not get enrolled automatically, you can sign up through Social Security Administration (SSA). If you are not getting retirement benefits and you are turning 65 years old, signup three months before turning 65. You can sign up any time you want if you are suffering from ESRD.