What is Medicare Part B?

Question

Mike Alexander · Accepted Answer

Part b is the outpatient benefit of medicare. Its pays your benefits outside the hospital you will pay a premium amount each month based on your income, 
You must have part b in order to get a medigap plan or an Advantage plan.

Ann Sanfelippo · Answer

Medicare Part B is the part of Medicare that covers doctor visits and outpatient medical care. It includes preventive services, lab work, mental health services, ambulance transportation, and durable medical equipment. Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B, which is based on income.

Answered by Ann Sanfelippo on January 13, 2026

Broker Licensed in FL, AL, AZ & 14 other states

Answered by Ann Sanfelippo Medicare Insurance Agent

Pamela Masters · Answer

Medicare part B provides care for outpatient medical. Things like doctors visits, lab tests, diagnostic testing, x-rays, ambulance transport among other things. The monthly premium for part B in 2026 is $202.90. There is also a yearly deductible for part B. For 2026 it is $283. You will also have a copay for part B. Generally you pay 20% of any costs that Medicare covers.

Answered by Pamela Masters on April 6, 2026

Broker Licensed in NC

Answered by Pamela Masters Medicare Insurance Agent

Ravi Natarajan · Answer

Medicare Part B is to cover services that are provided outside a Hospital setting. Meaning  anything outside of an inpatient hospital stay.

Chad Sickle, RN · Answer

The 80% coverage you get for doctor services outside of the hospital.  Part A is the hospital 80% coverage.

Ron Cronwell · Answer

Original Medicare has 2 parts, A and B. Part B covers doctors visits, durable medical equipment, out patient surgeries, abd part B medications. There is a monthly premium for part B, an annual deductable, and copays for services.

Answered by Ron Cronwell on January 13, 2026

Agent Licensed in TN

Answered by Ron Cronwell Medicare Insurance Agent

Kristen Skinner · Answer

Medicare Part B is the part that covers doctor visits, labs, skilled nursing, etc. Also it the amount you pay for either out of your Social Security check or directly. You have to apply for Part B. Is is roughly around $206 a month for most Americans. You will pay a higher premium if you make more $$.

Answered by Kristen Skinner on February 2, 2026

Broker Licensed in OK

Answered by Kristen Skinner Medicare Insurance Agent

Lenora Sikkenga · Answer

Medicare partB covers doctors appointments, medical supplies and preventive care. It also covers therapies such as physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy. There is a monthly premium that changes every year that can be deducted from your social security.

Answered by Lenora Sikkenga on January 12, 2026

Broker Licensed in NV

Answered by Lenora Sikkenga Medicare Insurance Agent

Nancy Courser · Answer

Medicare Part B is the medical services portion of your Medicare. You're not in the hospital - that's Part A - but receiving outpatient care, preventative services, ambulance transportation, and durable medical equipment. Most people pay for their Part B in the form of a monthly premium. Then they pay a deductible (annual) and Medicare pays 80% and you pay 20% of the Medicare covered service. There are certain drugs that also are covered by Part B - generally these are infusions - medications that are not self-administered.

Answered by Nancy Courser on May 18, 2026

Agent Licensed in MI, FL & TN

Answered by Nancy Courser Medicare Insurance Agent

Evan Agona · Answer

Medicare Part B is the medical insurance part of Medicare. It covers care you usually get outside the hospital, items such as; doctor visits, outpatient services, preventive care, durable medical equipment, mental health services and some home health care.

For your Part B, you pay a monthly premium. There is a yearly deductible which is 2026 is $283 before Medicare starts paying it's share. After that, you usually pay 20% coinsurance for approved services. There is, no out-of-pocket maximum unless you add a Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plan.

Nicholas Ryckert · Answer

Medicare Part B represents the second component of original Medicare. It provides coverage for healthcare services received outside of a hospital environment, such as laboratory analyses, X-rays, diagnostic procedures, medical equipment,. It also covers physician fees. Typically, Medicare Part B covers 80% of eligible charges after the annual deductible is met. Beneficiaries are responsible for the remaining 20%, in addition to the monthly Part B premium. Please note that there is no Out-of-Pocket Maximum.

Answered by Nicholas Ryckert on March 10, 2026

Broker Licensed in FL, AL, AZ & 16 other states

Answered by Nicholas Ryckert Medicare Insurance Agent

Angela Trinidad · Answer

Medicare part b is the benefit that covers all your medical needs such as doctor visits, labs,and or diognostic testings. It’s also the benefit that generally has a monthly premium that deducted from your social security income on a monthly bases

Answered by Angela Trinidad on January 13, 2026

Broker Licensed in TX, AZ, CA & 11 other states

Answered by Angela Trinidad Medicare Insurance Agent

Donald Brown · Answer

Medicare Part B pays for doctors and in some cases medicine that is injected by a doctor. Part B has a monthly premium based on income and the minimum cost is $202.99 for 2026.

Dean Chiapetto · Answer

Medicare Part B is an optional program that generally covers 80% of approved medical services after an annual deductible. If you are actively working and have creditable employer coverage, you may be able to delay Part B enrollment without penalty.

For most people, Part B requires a monthly premium, which is higher for individuals with higher incomes.

You can enroll in Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period, which runs from three months before your birth month through three months after your birth month.

If you miss this window and do not have other creditable coverage, you must wait until the General Enrollment Period (January 1–March 31). Coverage will begin the first day of the month after you enroll, and you may be subject to a late enrollment penalty.

Jennifer Kalbach · Answer

Medicare Part B is the medical component to Original Medicare and Part A is hospitalization component.

Karen Ansell · Answer

Medicare Part B is a part of Medicare which has a premium of $205 per month unless your income is over a certain amount then you will pay more for Part B.
It is your medical benefits such as your primary care doctors, specialists, surgeons and any doctor you receive treatment from this can be in a hospital or outpatient. Medical equipment such as wheel chairs, walkers and hospital beds.
It also consists of certain Part B injectable and cancer drugs. 
You are normally responsible for a 20% copays and an additional 15% if your doctor does not take Medicare assignment.

Charles Borg · Answer

Medicare part B is for doctor visits, laboratories and other services not hospital related. It also includes blood.

Ingrid Kollmann · Answer

Whereas Part A is hospitalization, Part B is for medical services,  like doctors, physical therapy, specialist services.

Jamie Blake · Answer

Medicare has two components.  Part A is Hospital and Part B Medical.

Part B Medical is optional with a monthly premium. Part B covers outpatient care, doctor visits, durable medical equipment, and preventive services. It helps pay for medically necessary services, including ambulance transport, mental health care, and laboratory tests. Most services require a 20% coinsurance after meeting the annual deductible.

Trevor Nahodil · Answer

Medicare part B covers the medical side. which you pay the premium of 202.90 that will come out of social security.

Tony Gonzalez · Answer

So if part A is in the Hospital, think of part B as everything outside of the hospital, excluding the pharmacy (part D), the part B is when you see your Dr’s and all outpatient care. It’s the part that you pay $202.90 per month.

Answered by Tony Gonzalez on May 25, 2026

Agent Licensed in TX

Answered by Tony Gonzalez Medicare Insurance Agent

What is Medicare Part B?

Agents: Share Your Expertise

Seniors: Ask a Question of Your Own

Related Questions

Agent Locator

Medicare Agents Hub
A non-government resource website

What is Medicare Part B?

Agents: Share Your Expertise

Seniors: Ask a Question of Your Own

Related Questions

Agent Locator

Medicare Agents HubA non-government resource website

Medicare Agents Hub
A non-government resource website