Part B (Medical Insurance)

Helps Pay For:

Doctors’ services, outpatient hospital care, and some other medical services that Part A doesn’t cover, such as the services of physical and occupational therapists, and some home health care. Part B helps pay for these covered services and supplies when they are medically necessary. Information about your coverage under Medicare Part B can be found in the Your Medicare Coverage database.

Cost:

Most Medicare beneficiaries will continue to pay the same $96.40 Part B premium amount in 2010. Beneficiaries who currently have the Social Security Administration (SSA) withhold their Part B premium and have incomes of $85,000 or less (or $170,000 or less for joint filers) will not have an increase in their Part B premium for 2010. For additional details, see our FAQ titled: Will my Medicare Part B premium increase in 2010?

For all others, the standard Medicare Part B monthly premium will be $110.50 in 2010, which is a 15% increase over the 2009 premium. The Medicare Part B premium is increasing in 2010 due to possible increases in Part B costs. If your income is above $85,000 (single) or $170,000 (married couple), then your Medicare Part B premium may be higher than $110.50 per month. For additional details, see our FAQ titled: 2010 Part B Premium Amounts for Persons with Higher Income Levels

In some cases this amount may be higher if you didn’t choose Part B when you first became eligible at age 65. The cost of Part B may go up 10% for each 12-month period that you could have had Part B but did not sign up for it, except in special cases. You will have to pay this extra 10% as long as you have Medicare Part B.

Enrolling in Part B is your choice. You can sign up for Part B anytime during a 7-month period that begins 3 months before you turn 65. Please call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit or call your local Social Security office to sign up. If you choose to have Part B, the premium is usually taken out of your monthly Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Civil Service Retirement payment. If you don’t get any of the above payments, Medicare sends you a bill for your Part B premium every 3 months. You should get your Medicare premium bill by the 10th of the month. If you don’t get your bill by the 10th, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or your local Social Security office. If you get benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board, call your local RRB office or 1-877-772-5772.

For More Information About Medicare Part B Coverage:

Visit the Your Medicare Coverage database.

Related posts:

  1. Medicare Part A Hospital Insurance Coverage Care in hospitals as an inpatient, critical access hospitals (small facilities that give limited outpatient and inpatient services to people in rural areas), skilled nursing facilities (not custodial or long-term care), hospice care, and some home health care. Information about your coverage under Medicare Part A can be found in the Your Medicare Coverage database...
  2. Who is Eligible for Medicare Generally, you are eligible for Medicare if you or your spouse worked for at least 10 years in Medicare-covered employment and you are 65 years or older and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. If you aren’t yet 65, you might also qualify for coverage if you have a disability or with […]...
  3. Medicare Premium Amounts for 2010 Medicare Premium Amounts for 2010 ...
  4. Can Someone Tell Me When the Medicare Enrollment Period Starts If you didn’t sign up for Medicare Part B when you first became eligible, you may be able to sign up during the General Enrollment Period. This period runs from January 1 through March 31 of each year....
  5. Extra Help Paying for Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D) If you qualify, your drug costs in 2010 will be no more than $2.50 for each generic drug and $6.30 for each brand‑name drug. Look on the Extra Help letters you get, or contact your plan to find out your exact costs....
  6. Medicare beneficiaries will not see a Part B monthly premium increase Most Medicare beneficiaries will not see a Part B monthly premium increase as a result of a “hold harmless” provision in the current law. This allows for 73 percent of beneficiaries to be protected from an increase raising the 2010 Part B monthly premiums from $96.40 to $110.50. ...
  7. Medicare is a health insurance program – Is this True? Medicare is a health insurance program - Is this True?...
  8. Medicare premiums and coinsurance rates for 2010 Medicare premiums and coinsurance rates for 2010...
  9. What is Medicare and How Can it Help Me Medicare is a Health Insurance Program for: People age 65 or older. People under age 65 with certain disabilities. People of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant). Medicare has Two Parts: Part A (Hospital Insurance)Most people don’t have to pay for Part A. Part B (Medical Insurance)Most […]...
  10. Medicare Card and Social Security Card Number Information 2011 Will my Medicare Part B premiums increase in 2011? Most Medicare beneficiaries will continue to pay the same $96.40 or $110.50 Part B premium amount in 2011. Beneficiaries who currently have the Social Security Administration (SSA) withhold their Part B premium and have incomes of $85,000 or less ($170,000 or less for joint filers) will […]...
  11. I Want to Enroll in Medicare Medicare has two parts: To find out how you enroll in Medicare Part A & B, please go to My Medicare Enrollment...
  12. Medicare Eligibility Requirements Medicare is a Health Insurance Program for people age 65 or older, some disabled people under age 65...
  13. How to get a new medicare replacement card Here is some helpful information we found on how to get a replacement medicare card...
  14. Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Medicare prescription drug coverage is insurance that helps people pay for prescription drugs at participating pharmacies. It is available to everyone who has Medicare....
  15. Medicare Medical Care, Rapid Development of Drug-Resistant, 2009 H1N1 Influenza Reported in Two Cases Two people with compromised immune systems who became ill with 2009 H1N1 influenza developed drug-resistant strains of virus after less than two weeks on therapy, report doctors from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. Doctors who treat prolonged influenza infection should be aware that even a short course of antiviral treatment may lead to drug-resistant virus, say the authors, and clinicians should consider this possibility as they develop initial treatment strategies for their patients who have impaired immune function....