Medicare Part B is the best way to have your outpatient expenses covered. It is a plan that is easy to qualify for, in most cases, and it provides some decent coverage for medically necessary, very common healthcare costs and services. Let’s take some time to look now at Medicare Part B 2020 and what it can do for you.

Part B at a Glance

Medicare Part B is one part of Original Medicare. The other half is Part A, and together they create a powerful set of coverage for the average senior. Part B is focused on preventive care services, ambulatory care, rehabilitant services, durable medical equipment, home health care, physical therapy and general outpatient services. It can also include some prescription drugs, though this is not a comprehensive prescription drug plan.

Many of these services will only be covered if a doctor orders them for the treatment of your medical condition. That means that if you try to find a doctor who will provide these services without some sort of referral from a general practitioner, then you may not be covered under your Part B plan.

A number of the services and expenses that Part B will cover for you are one-time preventative services called “Welcome to Medicare” services. These can include visits for preventative treatment, shots to protect you from hepatitis B and the flu, cancer screenings, heart health screenings and diabetes screenings. If you would like a full list of these kind of services and of all preventative care services, then you can reference the Medicare publication “Medicare and You”, which is available through Medicare’s website.

Who Gets Part B Coverage?

Medicare Part B cover is provided to any senior who is subscribed to an Original Medicare plan. This plan includes both Part A and Part B. You can get that plan through Medicare itself or through a private insurance company that Medicare has allowed to sell the basic Medicare plan. This can be available through Medicare Advantage plans, otherwise known as Medicare Part C plans, which are sold by private insurers.

If you get Part B through a Medicare Advantage plan, then you will receive additional coverage that isn’t provided by Original Medicare. This can provide substantial coverage for a wide variety of medical expenses. There isn’t a standard set price for Advantage plans, though, so you may want to use our website to compare prices and see who is offering a good deal on this coverage plan.

Advantage plans are required by law to provide all the same Part B coverage as an Original Medicare plan. Advantage plans also tend to offer prescription drug coverage (substantially more than regular Part B would) and coverage for checkups throughout the year for your vision, hearing and general wellness.

If you are eligible for Medicare Part A without premiums, then you are automatically eligible for Medicare Part B 2020. You will need to pay a monthly premium for Part B, though. For those who do not qualify for premium-free Part A, you will have to meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be 65 years old

• Be a permanent resident for at least five years or a full US citizen

That’s all there is to it, and many people automatically qualify for Part B by meeting disability requirements. These people can actually sign up for Part B and other parts of Medicare before they turn 65 years old. If you are not sure if you qualify for this plan or what your specific requirements would be, then you can always talk to a Medicare agent or call us. We would be happy to help you figure out what you are eligible for and what you need to do to achieve eligibility. For many people, eligibility simply means they need to wait until they turn 65. Until then, there are some other options for medical coverage that may cost more but that can cover them until they can sign up for Part B.

When Should You Enroll?

You can apply for Part B as soon as you are eligible for it. That usually means around your 65^th birthday. You can enroll before your turn 65, but not by much. Enrollment starts from January 1st and runs until March 31^st. The coverage will begin for you on July 1^st, if you are approved for the Part B.

If you don’t sign up during this general enrollment period or when you are first eligible around your 65^th birthday, then you will have to wait until the following year to sign up during general enrollment then. The enrollment period is usually held during the same time each year, but you do want to check that on Medicare’s website before you apply, just to be sure it hasn’t changed.

If you are not signing up for Part B when you first become eligible, then you may be required to pay a late fee in order to sign up.

Anyone who is not automatically enrolled in Medicare when they reach age 65 can call Medicare or Social Security to find out what they are missing for eligibility. If you have Part B coverage and you are 65, then you are also able to sign up for supplemental insurance that adds onto the Part B plan. These plans are available to you as a way to cover the leftover medical expenses, and they are sold through private insurers. You should sign up for them during their own enrollment period, which lasts for six months and starts as soon as you have a valid, active Part B plan.

Be aware that there are limitations and restrictions as to what kind of coverage you can receive and who can receive coverage under Medicare Part B 2020. Certain pre existing medical conditions will keep you from getting the coverage you may want or may be expecting, so be sure to consult with your doctor or with a healthcare insurance professional about how your pre existing medical condition will affect your potential for eligibility and coverage.