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  Individual & Family




Medicare Part B

 Medicare consists of Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). Medicare Part B, or medical insurance, helps cover the following:

•    Ambulance Services: Ground transportation to a hospital or skilled nursing facility for medically-necessary services
•    Blood
•    Bone Density Measurement
•    Some Cardiovascular Screenings: Helps prevent heart attack or stroke. Covered every 5 years to test cholesterol, lipid, and triglyceride levels
•    Chiropractic Services
•    Clinical Laboratory Services: Such as blood tests, urinalysis, and screening  tests
•    Colorectal Cancer Screenings: Help prevent and find cancer early using tests such as fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoiodoscopy, colonoscopy, and barium enema
•    Diabetes Screenings, Self-Management Training, and Supplies
•    Doctor Services
•    Flu Shots
•    Hearing Tests: Does not include hearing aids
•    Mammograms, pap tests, and pelvic exams
•    Outpatient Mental Health Care
•    Occupational Therapy: Help you return to usual activities after illness or accident
•    Physical Therapy
•    Some prescription drugs
•    Tests: Including X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, EKGs and other diagnostic tests
•    And more…

Some services that are not covered under Part B (and Part A) include:
•    Acupuncture
•    Cosmetic Surgery
•    Custodial Care
•    Dental Care
•    Eye exams
•    Long term Care
•    Physical Exams
•    Syringes or Insulin

Unlike Medicare Part A, you must pay a Part B premium each month. Most people pay the standard premium amount of $96.40, the cost of the premium in 2009. Your monthly premium can be higher if you are single and make more than $85,000 a year or you are married with a joint yearly income of more than $170,000.

If you receive benefits from Social Security, you will automatically get Part B on the first day of the month you turn 65. People with disabilities or End-Stage Renal Disease will automatically get Part B after you get disability benefits from Social Security. If you are not receiving Social Security benefits and you want Part B, you will need to sign up during the initial enrollment period. The initial enrollment period is the 3 month period before and after your 65th birthday.

You must sign up for Part B when you become Medicare-eligible. If you do not sign up for Part B when you are first eligible, your monthly premium may increase by 10% for each full 12-month period you could have had Part B. You may sign up for Part B during the following periods:

•    General Enrollment Period: Between January 1 and March 31 of each year.
•    Special Enrollment Period: You can sign up for Part B anytime while you have group health plan coverage based on current employment.

For more information about your Medicare eligibility and to enroll in Part B, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.