Medicare Part B is slightly more complicated than Part A. It is the second part of Original Medicare and is essential to the overall program. People qualified for Part A become simultaneously qualified for Part B. Some people choose to not enroll in Part B right away, however, because Part B is not free and charges monthly premiums.
You must be aware, however, that if you decline Part B at the time of enrolling into Part A, if you ever decide to go back and add it on, you pay more than you would have originally. Why? Because you are now older.
Medicare Part B deals with the certain terminal and serious illnesses/diseases. While Part A covers the expense of staying in hospice care, Part B covers the actual treatments pursuant to the medical issues causing someone to need hospice care. Examples of diseases, treatments and services covered by Medicare Part B include:
- Kidney dialysis.
- Chemotherapy.
- Pneumococcal vaccines.
- Diabetes tests.
- Mental health care.
- Alcohol & addiction treatment.
- CT scans, MRIs & X-rays.
- Flu shots.
- Preventative medical services & testing.
- Wheelchairs & medical braces.
- Flu shots.
Premiums for Part B were $164.90/month for most people in 2023. Additional deductibles, copays and coinsurance expenses also apply.
Part B members pay an average of twenty percent of all Medicare-authorized expenses for each visit or treatment. The cost of Part B premiums and other out-of-pocket expenses is dependent on your income and other applicable financial factors.
Part B is an optional coverage in some ways. Part B is automatically assigned to those also enrolled in Part A. Delaying Part B coverage is optional but a late enrollment penalty is applied for those who choose to sign up for the coverage at a later time.
The choice to delay enrollment is almost always due to Part B charging a monthly premium. The money saved by not enrolling right away is weighed against the cost of the late enrollment penalty to determine if delaying your enrollment is actually saving you money in the end.
