Medicare Part B coverage generally includes medically necessary outpatient services, including (but not limited to) doctor visits, durable medical equipment, lab tests, ambulance services, mental health care, and preventive services.

If you need certain types of medically necessary durable medical equipment, such as walkers or hospital beds, you may be covered under Part B. You may be required to rent or buy the equipment from suppliers enrolled in the Medicare program, or Medicare may not cover you.

Medicare Part B coverage includes a variety of preventive services to keep you healthy and detect health conditions early on. This includes yearly ‘Wellness’ exams, screenings for various diseases and health conditions, nutrition therapy, tobacco cessation counseling, and certain vaccines (including flu shots, hepatitis B shots, and pneumococcal shots).

Part B includes limited prescription drug coverage. Certain types of medications (typically the ones that need to be administered by a doctor) may be covered, including injectable drugs or medications given by infusion. For all other prescription drug benefits under Original Medicare, you’ll need to sign up for Medicare Part D coverage (see below for more information).

Unlike Part A, most people pay a monthly premium for Part B, which may vary from year to year and depend on your situation. Other costs related to your Medicare Part B coverage may include deductibles, copayments, and/or coinsurance costs. Costs may vary depending on the specific service or item. If you’re not sure what you may have to pay, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor or supplier before receiving the service.