What type of care does Medicare Part B primarily cover?

Medicare Part B primarily covers routine medical visits, which are essential to maintaining an individual’s overall health and managing chronic conditions. This includes services provided by healthcare professionals such as doctors and nurse practitioners, as well as outpatient care, preventive services, and screenings. Routine medical visits allow for regular check-ups, monitoring of health status, and necessary vaccinations.

While Medicare Part B does also provide coverage for certain laboratory services and can include some emergency services, its main focus is on outpatient care and preventive measures that foster ongoing health. Long-term care is typically not covered under Part B, as that often falls under other types of Medicaid programs or Medicare Part A, depending on the context. Understanding the scope of coverage is crucial for beneficiaries to make the most informed decisions regarding their healthcare needs.