Part B
The component of Medicare that offers health insurance is known as Part B. It can be used to pay for a variety of outpatient services, including:
- Medical appointments
- Durable medical equipment like wheelchairs, walkers, and oxygen apparatus
- laboratory examinations, such as urinalysis and blood tests
- additional testing, including echocardiograms and imaging examinations
- Physical therapy and occupational therapy
- mental health services and outpatient hospitals
- immunizations against pneumococcal illness, hepatitis B, and the flu
Usually, Medicare gives you seven months from the moment you become eligible to apply. Your initial enrollment term is this time frame. Three months prior to your 65th birthday, the month of your birthday, and three months thereafter are all available for applications.
In many instances, you must enroll by the deadline to avoid the charges that come with late enrollment for your Medicare Part B [2] payment. But, you can qualify for an 8-month special enrollment period if you or your spouse are working when you first become eligible.
You may continue to use your current group health plan during a special enrollment period for as long as it is still offered. You normally have an 8-month opportunity to sign up for Medicare without incurring any late fees if you leave that employer or the employer ends your coverage.