Medicare Overview

Medicare Benefits

Choosing A Medicare Plan

Enrollment

Medicare Eligibility

Medicare Costs

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Medicare Part B – Medical Insurance

Medicare Part B provides insurance to help cover doctors’ services, outpatient care and other medically necessary services, including laboratory tests, medical equipment, and other services not covered by Medicare Part A. For most Part B services, Medicare beneficiaries are required to pay 20% coinsurance after paying the Medicare Part B deductible of $135.00 per year. The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B is $96.40 but this may vary based on your modified adjusted gross income.
For a complete breakdown of Medicare Part B premiums, see page 19.

2009 Medicare Part B Premiums

Part B Benefits	Your cost
Doctors’ services	20% coinsurance
Outpatient hospital care	20% coinsurance
Ambulatory surgical services	20% coinsurance
X-rays/ medical equipment	20% coinsurance
Physical, speech and occupational therapy	20% coinsurance
Clinical diagnostic laboratory services	No coinsurance
Home healthcare	No coinsurance
Outpatient mental services	50% coinsurance

Medicare Doctors – be sure your doctor accepts Medicare (also known as the Medicare Assignment). As long as your provider accepts Medicare, you will pay 20% coinsurance for the specified Part B services. If the provider agrees to see Medicare patients but doesn’t accept the Medicare Assignment, they are able to charge up to 15% more than the Medicare reimbursement rate. If you choose to see this provider, you will be responsible for paying the 15% in addition to the 20% coinsurance amount.

Also, providers may opt out of Medicare at any time. If your provider no longer provides services to Medicare patients, you will be responsible to pay the full cost of the services. If this is the case, doctors should notify you as a courtesy that they don’t accept Medicare and that you are responsible to pay the full medical bill before they provide service to you.