Medicare Part B: What It Covers, What It Costs, and How to Enroll
Medicare Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and medical equipment. Here is a complete guide to Part B benefits, costs, and enrollment rules.
Medicare Part B: What It Covers, What It Costs, and How to Enroll
Medicare Part B is medical insurance -- covering doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and durable medical equipment. Unlike Part A, Part B always requires a monthly premium. Here is everything you need to know.
What Medicare Part B Covers
Doctor and Outpatient Services
- Primary care visits
- Specialist visits
- Outpatient surgery
- Emergency room visits (when not admitted as inpatient)
- Urgent care visits
- Mental health services (outpatient therapy, psychiatry)
- Second surgical opinions
Preventive Services (at No Cost)
Medicare covers dozens of preventive services at 100% -- no deductible, no coinsurance -- when provided by a Medicare-enrolled doctor who accepts assignment:
- Annual Wellness Visit
- Welcome to Medicare preventive visit (one-time)
- Flu, pneumococcal, COVID-19, and hepatitis B vaccines
- Cancer screenings (mammogram, colonoscopy, Pap smear, lung CT, PSA)
- Cardiovascular screenings
- Diabetes screening and prevention
- Depression and alcohol misuse screening
- Bone density measurement
Outpatient Hospital Services
- Outpatient surgery and procedures
- Observation services
- Emergency department visits (when not admitted)
- Outpatient rehabilitation
Diagnostic Tests and Imaging
- Lab tests (blood work, urinalysis)
- X-rays
- MRI, CT, and PET scans
- Ultrasounds
- EKGs and cardiac monitoring
Therapies
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech-language pathology
- Cardiac rehabilitation
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
- Wheelchairs and walkers
- CPAP and oxygen equipment
- Blood glucose monitors and supplies
- Hospital beds for home use
Other Covered Services
- Ambulance services (when medically necessary)
- Clinical research studies
- Mental health care
- Chiropractic care (spinal manipulation only)
- Podiatry (for medically necessary foot care)
- Telehealth services
Part B Costs (2022)
Standard monthly premium: $170.10/month
Annual deductible: $233/year
Coinsurance: After the deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most Part B services.
IRMAA: Higher-income beneficiaries pay more -- see our IRMAA guide for details.
Enrolling in Part B
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): 7-month window centered on your 65th birthday month (3 months before, your birthday month, 3 months after).
Special Enrollment Period: If you delayed Part B because you had employer coverage, you have an 8-month SEP after employment or coverage ends.
General Enrollment Period: January 1-March 31 each year, for people who missed their IEP. Coverage begins July 1. A late enrollment penalty applies.
The Part B Late Enrollment Penalty
If you do not enroll in Part B when first eligible and do not have a qualifying reason for delay, you pay a 10% premium penalty for each 12-month period you were eligible but not enrolled -- for as long as you have Part B.
Example: If you delayed Part B for 2 years without a qualifying reason, your premium is permanently increased by 20%.
Accepting Assignment
When a doctor "accepts assignment," they agree to accept Medicare's approved amount as full payment. You pay 20% of that amount.
Doctors who do not accept assignment can charge up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount (excess charges). Medigap Plan G covers these excess charges -- protecting you from surprise bills.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
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About the Author
William Gray
Independent Medicare BrokerUS Air Force Veteran · Florida Medicare Specialist
William Gray is an independent Medicare insurance broker based in Daytona Beach and Palm Coast, FL. A US Air Force veteran (A-10 crew chief, Germany), he spent years in corporate insurance before going independent to serve Florida seniors directly. He has helped more than 1,000 clients across Northeast Florida compare Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D plans — always at no cost to the client.
