Part B – Medical Insurance
Some of the services that Part B, medical insurance, helps pay for include
: Medically necessary services furnished by physicians in a variety of medical settings, including but not limited to:
o The physician’s office;
o An inpatient or outpatient hospital setting; and
o Ambulatory Surgical Centers; Home health care for individuals who do not have Part A; Ambulance services; Clinical laboratory and diagnostic services; Surgical supplies; Durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies; Hospital outpatient services
; and Services furnished by practitioners with limited licensing such as:
o Audiologists;
o Certified nurse midwives;
o Certified registered nurse anesthetists;
o Clinical nurse specialists;
o Clinical psychologists;
o Clinical social workers;
o Independently practicing occupational therapists;
o Independently practicing physical therapists;
o Nurse practitioners; and
o Physician assistants.
Eligibility Guidelines
All individuals who are eligible for premium-free Part A are eligible to enroll in Part B. Since Part B is a voluntary program that requires the payment of a monthly premium, those individuals who do not want coverage may refuse enrollment. An individual age 65 years or over who is not eligible for premium-free Part A must be a U.S. resident and either a citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence who has resided in the U.S. continuously for the five-year period immediately preceding the month the
Part B enrollment application is filed. Individuals who refused Part B and those whose Part B coverage terminated may enroll or re-enroll in Part B only during prescribed enrollment periods
For Medicare part A eligibility guidelines see the previous post.
