Part B of Medicare helps to fund medical services such as doctor’s visits, outpatient treatment, and other services that Part A does not cover. Part B is a choice. When medically essential, Part B helps pay for covered medical services and equipment. Part B also includes preventive treatments including as checkups, lab testing, and screening immunizations to help prevent, detect, and manage medical problems.
Cost: If you have Part B, you must pay a monthly fee. The majority of consumers will pay the usual premium. Some persons who are required to pay extra because of their income will be contacted by Social Security. You may have to pay a late enrollment penalty if you don’t sign up for Part B when you initially become eligible.
Look through your copy of the “Medicare & You” guidebook, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or go to your local Social Security office for further information about enrolling in Medicare. If you receive Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits, contact your local RRB office or call 1-800-808-0772.
To sign up for Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board), call 1-800-772-1213.
Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Other Insurance). Why don’t I contact Medicare and enroll in Parts A and B?
To enroll, you do not need to create a Medicare account. You can create your protected Medicare account after you join up and acquire your Medicare Number. To receive greater coverage, you might join a plan or get supplemental insurance.
Part B (or Part A if you have to pay a fee for it) is only available at particular hours. Learn about the sign-up periods for Part A and Part B.