How to Buy Medicare Part B

Medicare Part B (also known as Medicare medical insurance) covers medically required services including doctor's visits and services, outpatient care and other medical services and supplies. This is different from Part A that covers hospitalization and inpatient care. Part B does not cover things like cosmetic surgery that are not medical necessities. There is a premium for Part B and most people pay about $97 (in 2009). The premium is higher for those with higher incomes.

Instructions

• 1

  Find out if you are eligible. Use the eligibility tool in References to check if you qualify for Medicare Part B. If you and your spouse worked in Medicare-qualifying employment for at least 10 years and you are 65 years or older, you are generally eligible. If you are not 65 and have a disability or end-state renal disease, you are also eligible.

• 2

  If you are not enrolled in Medicare, apply for both Plan A and Plan B.

• 3

  If you are already approved for A, it is easiest to enroll in Part B at the same time you are signing up for Part A. If you did not do this you can enroll during the general enrollment period, between January 1 and March 31 each year. Your coverage will start on July 1 of the same year. If you are eligible for Medicare Part B and you fail to enroll, you will pay a 10 percent higher premium as a penalty for every 12-month period that you were eligible but failed to enroll.

• 4

  Enroll for Part B at your local Social Security office or with your local Railway Retirement Board (RRB), if you receive RRB benefits. You can call your local RRB at 1-877-772-5772. See the eligibility link in References for enrollment information specific to your own region.