Introduction
Medicare part B is part of the four Medicare programs, and is designed to cover doctor bills and other outpatient costs. Elderly citizens, who are over the 65 years old, are automatically eligible for Medicare part B. Even though it will take care of a big part of doctor bills and other outpatient costs, it will leave some service uncovered and pay for a portion of those services it does cover. Therefore, applicants may need to supplement insurance b with Medicaid benefits, Medigap supplemental insurance and other insurance sources.
History
Americans who are 65 years old U.S citizens or legal residents, who have lived in the country for five consecutive years, are eligible insurance b. You don’t have to enroll for Medicare Part A, in order to qualify for part B insurance. Once you successfully enroll for insurance part B, you will be expected to pay a monthly premium for it. The basic price of a premium is usually around $96.40 per person. Individuals who are eligible for Medicaid can pay insurance part B premiums with their Medicaid benefits. Single or married people filling separate tax returns, with an adjusted gross income of over $82,000 will pay higher premium, as will couples with a combined income of exceeding $164,000. Medicare will base its calculations based on your tax returns, filed two year before. If for any reason your income levels have dropped over the past couple of years, you should inform Medicare of your current financial circumstances and request for your premiums to be adjusted accordingly. Individuals who delay to enroll when they are first eligible (when they turn 65 years old) but do enroll for the program later, will end up paying a higher premium for insurance part B; the premiums will be 10% higher for each they delay to enroll for the program.
Features
Doctor bills make up the biggest chunk of outpatient expenses, and are fully covered by insurance b. This service provides coverage for health care provided at a doctor’s office, hospital or clinic. It will also provide coverage for work done by the doctor’s staff, as well as the drugs administered at the office. However, there are two basic rules on how to use Medicare part B: care must be medically necessary and it must be performed by a doctor who accepts Medicare payments. Therefore, patients should ensure that a doctor is able to Medicare payments before using their services. Insurance part B also provides coverage for chiropractor services. However, this coverage is only for short-term manipulation of out-of-place vertebrae by a Medicare certified chiropractor. Medicare part B insurance also handles other outpatient expenses, such as laboratory work, X-rays, emergency room, and ambulance service.it will also provide coverage for medical supplies and equipment, such as braces, splints, bandages, remedial shoes, walkers and prosthetics.
Tips and comments
Insurance b covers patients in need of speech or physical therapy, if prescribed and regularly reviewed by a doctor. The facility or therapist providing the care should be certified by Medicare. The amount of money Medicare pays for this service will depend on the care provider.
