What services does Medicare Part B provide coverage for?

Medicare Part B primarily provides coverage for physician services and outpatient services. It is designed to assist with medical costs that are not covered by Medicare Part A, which focuses more on inpatient hospital stays. Under Part B, beneficiaries can receive coverage for routine doctor visits, preventive care, diagnostic tests, outpatient hospital services, and certain medical supplies. This aspect of Medicare is particularly important for maintaining outpatient health care and ensuring ongoing monitoring and management of chronic diseases.

Home healthcare services, inpatient hospital stays, and long-term care fall under different categories of Medicare or are not covered by Medicare at all. Home healthcare can sometimes be covered under Part A or under specific conditions of Part B, but it is not the primary focus. Inpatient hospital stays are primarily covered by Part A. Long-term care typically isn't covered by Medicare unless it is short-term skilled nursing care following a hospital stay. Therefore, the comprehensive focus of Medicare Part B on outpatient and physician services makes it a crucial part of the healthcare system for beneficiaries.