Choosing the right Medicare health plan is one of the most important decisions you can make. But, sorting through all the different plans can be confusing. We're here to help!

Change your font size: A A A

Medicare Part B coverage is distinctly different than Medicare Part A. Part B is designed to help cover services that are "medically necessary," including doctors' services, outpatient care, home health services, and other related medical services that do not require an inpatient stay in a hospital or care facility, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Medicare Part B coverage also includes some preventative care services.

If you have Medicare Part B enrollment, you are required to pay a premium for each month you are covered by the plan. You are automatically eligible for Part B if you are 65 years old and collect Social Security benefits. If you do not choose to start your Medicare Part B enrollment as soon as you are eligible, you may be required a late enrollment penalty. Your window for signing up for Medicare Part B enrollment is the three month window before and after your 65th birthday. If you wait until after that window, you may pay a higher premium for late enrollment. If you do not want or need Part B, however, you have the option of cancelling your Medicare Part B coverage if you do not need it or do not want to pay the premium. If you are not collecting Social Security benefits, you can still enroll in Part B by contacting Social Security. Medicare Part B is unlike Part A in that enrollees are required to pay a Medicare Part B premium to be eligible for coverage. Part A coverage does not require a monthly premium because it is paid for by your Medicare taxes.

SocialSecurity.gov provides additional information related to signing up for Medicare, and Part B enrollment.

Medicare Part B provides coverage for outpatient medical procedures, services, equipment, and treatment. Part B coverage includes doctor and nursing services, x-rays, diagnostic tests, blood work, outpatient procedures, chemotherapy, hormone treatments, and many other procedures. Part B also covers medical equipment, such as canes, wheelchairs, power chairs, and prosthetics. Medicare part B coverage also includes preventative services, such as bone mass measurements, colon cancer screenings, diabetes tests, EKGs, flu shots, mammograms, prostate cancer screenings, and stop smoking help, among others, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. All these services are covered provided you have Medicare Part B enrollment and pay your Medicare Part B premium.

It is also important to know that you can drop your Medicare Supplement policy, but you may not be able to get the same, or any, Medicare Supplement insurance plan back again. Evaluate your options carefully.

Ready to get started?

Even though all plans are the same, costs can vary from each insurance company. Make sure you compare carefully. To start shopping for your plan, enter your zip code in the box at the top of the page.