Medicare Part B Helps Cover Services that are Medically Necessary or Medicare-Covered Preventive Services

Medical Services Such As:
Blood
Pints of blood you get as an outpatient or as part of a Part B-covered service.

Ambulance Services
When you need to be transported to a hospital or skilled nursing facility, and transportation in any other vehicle would endanger your health.

Ambulatory Surgery Center
Facility fees are covered for approved services.

Clinical Trials
To help doctors and researchers find better ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat diseases. Clinical trials test new types of medical care, like how well a new cancer drug works. Routine costs are covered if you take part in a qualifying clinical trial (may not cover the costs of experimental care, such as the drugs or devices being tested in a clinical trial).

Clinical Laboratory Services
Including blood tests, urinalysis, some screening tests, and more.

Emergency Room Services
When you believe your health is in serious danger.

Durable Medical Equipment
Items such as oxygen, wheelchairs, walkers, and hospital beds needed for use in the home.

Diabetic Supplies
Including glucose testing monitors, blood glucose test strips, lancet devices and lancets, glucose control solutions, and therapeutic shoes (in some cases). Syringes and insulin are only covered if used with an insulin pump or if you have Medicare prescription drug coverage.

Diabetic Self-management Training
For people with diabetes. Your doctor must provide a written order.

Eye Exams
For people with diabetes to check for diabetic retinopathy once every 12 months.

Eyeglasses
One pair of eyeglasses with standard frames after cataract surgery.

Foot Exams and Treatment
If you have diabetes-related nerve damage and/or meet certain conditions.

Glaucoma Tests
To help find the eye disease glaucoma. Covered once every 12 months for people at high risk for glaucoma.

Hearing and Balance Exam
If your doctor orders it to see if medical treatment is needed. Hearing aids and exams for fitting hearing aids aren’t covered.

Home Health Services
Limited to reasonable and necessary part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care and home health aide services as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology that are ordered by your doctor and provided by a Medicare-certified home health agency. Also includes medical social services, other services, durable medical equipment (such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, oxygen, and walkers), and medical supplies for use at home.

Kidney Dialysis Services and Supplies
Either in a facility or at home.

Medical Nutrition Therapy Services
For people who have diabetes or renal disease with a doctor’s referral three years after a kidney transplant.

Mental Health Care (outpatient)
Certain limits and conditions apply.

Occupational Therapy
Services given to help you return to usual activities (such as bathing) after an illness.

Outpatient Hospital Services
Received as an outpatient as part of a doctor’s care.

Outpatient Medical/Surgical Services and Supplies
For approved procedures.

Physical Therapy
Treatment of injuries and disease by mechanical means, such as heat, light, exercise, and massage.

Practitioner Services
Such as those provided by clinical social workers, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners.

Prescription Drugs
Limited coverage of certain prescription drugs.

Prosthetic/ Orthotic Items
Including arm, leg, back, and neck braces; artificial eyes; artificial limbs (and their replacement parts); breast prostheses (after mastectomy); prosthetic devices needed to replace an internal body part or function.

Second Surgical Opinions
Covered in some cases (and some third surgical opinions are covered) for surgery that isn’t an emergency.

Speech-Language Pathology Services
Treatment given to regain and strengthen speech skills.

Surgical Dressings
For treatment of a surgical or surgically treated wound.

Transplant Services
Including heart, lung, kidney, pancreas, intestine, and liver transplants under certain conditions and in a Medicare-certified facility only. Bone marrow and cornea transplants (under certain conditions).

Tests
Including X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, EKGs, and some other diagnostic tests.

Travel (Health Care Needed When Traveling Outside the US)
Limited to medical services provided in Canada when you travel on the most direct route through Canada between Alaska and another state. In some cases, Medicare may pay for services that you get while on board a ship within the territorial waters adjoining the land areas of the United States.

Urgently Needed Care
To treat a sudden illness or injury that isn’t a medical emergency.

Preventive Services Such As:
Bone Mass Measurement
To help see if you are at risk for broken bones, covered once every 24 months (more often if medically necessary) for people with Medicare who meet certain medical conditions.

Cardiovascular Screenings
Every five years to test your cholesterol, lipid, and triglyceride levels to help prevent a heart attack or stroke.

Diabetes Screenings
To check for diabetes. These screenings are covered if you have certain risk factors

Colorectal Cancer Screenings
To help find precancerous growths, and help prevent or find cancer early, when treatment is most effective. Talk to your doctor regarding coverage. In 2007, Medicare covers its share of these costs even if you haven’t met the yearly Part B deductible.

Flu Shots
To help prevent influenza or flu virus. This is covered once a flu season in the fall or winter. The flu is a serious illness. You need a flu shot for the current virus each year.

Glaucoma Tests
To help find the eye disease glaucoma. This is covered once every 12 months for people at high risk for glaucoma.

Hepatitis B Shots
To help protect people from getting Hepatitis B. This is covered (three shots) for people with Medicare at high or medium risk for Hepatitis B. Check with your doctor to see if you are at high or medium risk for Hepatitis B.

Mammograms (screening)
To check women for breast cancer before they or their doctor may be able to feel it. Preventive (screening) mammograms are covered once every 12 months for all women with Medicare age 40 and older.

Pap Test and Pelvic Exam (includes clinical breast exam)
To check for cervical and vaginal cancers. Medicare covers these exams for women at low risk for cervical cancer every 24 months. These exams are covered once every 12 months for women at high risk for cervical and vaginal cancer. 

Physical Exam
A one-time “Welcome to Medicare” Physical Exam. Review of your health, and education and counseling about preventive services, including certain screenings and shots.

Pneumococcal Shot
To help prevent pneumococcal infections. Most people only need this preventive shot once in their lifetime. Talk with your doctor.

Prostate Cancer Screening
To help find prostate cancer. Medicare covers a preventive digital rectal exam and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test once every 12 months for all men with Medicare over age 50.