Medicare Part B - What is it and Other Important Information?

Medicare Part B is a federal health insuranceMedicare Part B coverage start date is not
program additional to Medicare Part A that helpsdelayed, you should apply three months before
pay for some services and products not coveredthe month you turn 65. This is the beginning of
by Part A, generally on an outpatient basis. Thisyour 7 month Initial Enrollment Period. If you wait
voluntary program requires a insurance premiumuntil you are 65, or in the last 3 months of your
and covers doctor and outpatient services.Initial Enrollment Period, your Medicare Part B
Medicare is a social insurance programcoverage start date will be delayed.
administered by the United States government,To apply, you can call or visit your local Social
providing health insurance coverage to people whoSecurity office or call Social Security at
are aged 65 and over. There are some others,1-800-772-1213. You can apply online (using the
under age 65, who meet other special criteria andInternet) if you meet certain rules. To apply
are eligible for Part B, but this article does notonline, visit You must answer a series of
cover those people. Medicare operates as aquestions that will tell if you can apply online. For
single-payer health care system. Simply put, theexample, you must be at least 61 years and 9
American taxpayer pays the bills through themonths old; plan to start receiving Social Security
Federal government which in turn has contractsretirement benefits within the next 4 months; live
with private companies to handle the paperwork.in the United States or one of its territories
Medicare is voluntary, and those who enroll in itcommonwealths; agree to get your Social
have the premiums ($96.40 per month in 2009)Security benefits by direct deposit to your bank
deducted from their Social Security monthlyor other financial institution. You must answer
payments. Part B Medicare covers charges bysome other questions as well.
physicians, laboratory tests and X-rays amongWhat does Medicare Part B cover?
other non-hospital charges. Many people withPart B coverage includes physician and nursing
other health insurance will decline Part B Medicalservices, x-rays, laboratory and diagnostic tests,
coverage, thinking that with the other healthinfluenza and pneumonia vaccinations, blood
insurance, they may not need to pay for it. Thattransfusions, renal dialysis, outpatient hospital
may or may not be true. It depends on theprocedures, limited ambulance transportation,
source and type of the other health insurance.Immunosuppressive drugs for organ transplant
Keep in mind that if you defer signing up forrecipients, chemotherapy, hormonal treatments
Medicare Part B you may be subject to a lifetimesuch as Lupron, and other outpatient medical
penalty (10% per year) should you join later.treatments administered in a doctor's office.
When and where do I sign up?Medication administration is covered under Part B
1. If you already get Social Security benefits -only if it is administered by the physician during an
You will not need to do anything. You will beoffice visit.
automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and PartPart B also helps with durable medical equipment
B effective the month you are 65. For example, if(DME), including canes, walkers, wheelchairs, and
your 65th birthday is February 20, 2001, yourmobility scooters for those with mobility
Medicare effective date would be February 1,impairments. Prosthetic devices such as artificial
2001. (Note: if your birthday is on the 1st day oflimbs and breast prosthesis following mastectomy,
any month, Medicare Part A and Part B will beas well as one pair of eyeglasses following
effective the 1st day of the prior month. Forcataract surgery, and oxygen for home use is
example, if your 65th birthday is February 1,also covered. Complex rules are used to manage
2001, your Medicare effective date would bethe benefit, and advisories are periodically issued
January 1, 2001.) Your Medicare card will be mailedwhich describe coverage criteria.
to you about 3 months before your 65thWhat does Medicare Part B cost?
birthday. If you do not want Medicare Part B,The monthly cost for 2009 Part B is $96.40. The
follow the instructions that come with the card.amount is automatically deducted from your
For complete information on enrollment see theregular Social Security Insurance benefit each
Initial Enrollment Package section.month. For 2009, higher Medicare Part B
2. You want to apply for both Social Securitypremiums apply to anyone with a modified
Retirement Benefits and Medicare - If you areadjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeding $85,000
close to age 65 and not yet getting Socialfor single taxpayers and $170,000 for married
Security benefits or Medicare, you can apply forfiling joint income tax returns.
both at the same time. To make sure that your