Medicare Part B

By Chris Mihm+

What Is Part B (Medical Insurance)?

Part B helps cover medically-essential needs, such as doctors’ services, outpatient care, and home health services. Part B also covers some preventive services. Check your Medicare Card to find out if you have Part B.

How Much Does Part B Cost?

If you have Part B, you pay a Part B premium each month. Most people will pay the standard premium amount. Social Security will contact some people who have to pay more depending on their income. If you don’t sign up for Part B when you are first eligible, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty.

Some people automatically get Part B. Learn how and when you can sign up for Part B via our

Applying for Medicare article

What Does Part B Cover?

Part B covers two types of services:

• Medically-necessary services — Services or supplies that are needed to diagnose or treat your medical condition and that meet accepted standards of medical practice.
• Preventive Services—Health care to prevent illness (like the flu) or detect it at an early stage, when treatment is most likely to work best.