What is Medicare Part B?
Learn What Part B Covers and What it Will Cost You in 2025
What is Medicare Part B? It’s part of the Original Medicare plan that covers services you use most often, like doctor visits, lab tests, and outpatient care. It may not sound exciting, but understanding it can save you time, money, and stress.
If you’re in Tamarac, Melbourne, or anywhere in between, getting clear on Medicare Part B can help you make smarter decisions about your health coverage. At Absolute Best Insurance, we’re here to help you figure out what’s worth keeping, what you can skip, and how to get the most out of your benefits in 2025.
Q&A: Common Questions About Medicare Part B
What is Medicare Part B?
Medicare Part B is the part of original Medicare that covers outpatient services, doctor visits, mental health care, and preventive screenings. If it’s a service you don’t need to stay overnight for, there’s a good chance Part B covers it.
Do I need to enroll in Part B if I already have Part A?
Yes. Part A covers hospital care, but it doesn’t pay for your regular doctor visits or tests. You need Part B to complete your medical insurance coverage under original Medicare.
How much does Part B cost in 2025?
The standard monthly premium in 2025 is $174.70. If your income is higher, you may pay more. You’ll also pay an annual deductible of $240 before Medicare starts paying its share.
Can I delay enrolling in Part B?
If you have group coverage from an employer or union, yes. But if you don’t sign up when first eligible, you could face late enrollment penalties.
Does Medicare Advantage replace Part B?
Yes and no. If you sign up for Part C, also called a Medicare Advantage plan, it replaces both Part A and Part B. But those services are still included, just managed through a private insurer.
What Medicare Part B Covers
Part B helps pay for services like:
- Doctor visits, including specialists
- Lab work and diagnostic testing
- Preventive care (flu shots, cancer screenings, etc.)
- Outpatient surgeries
- Durable medical equipment
- Mental health services
- Ambulance services
It doesn’t cover prescriptions, dental, hearing, or vision unless you add additional plans like Medigap or Part C to fill those gaps.
2025 Costs for Medicare Part B
In 2025, the monthly Part B premium is $174.70 for most people. That number may be higher if you made more than $103,000 as an individual or $206,000 as a couple in 2023. In that case, you’ll pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA).
Here’s what else you’ll pay:
- Annual deductible: $240
- Coinsurance: After you meet the deductible, you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most services
People are often surprised by how affordable Part B is compared to what private insurance costs
Understanding the Different Parts of Medicare
To keep things simple:
- Part A pays for inpatient hospital care, rehab, and skilled nursing
- Part B pays for outpatient services
- Part C (Medicare Advantage) bundles A and B into a private plan
- Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs
- Medigap is also called Medicare Supplement and is optional coverage that helps pay your out-of-pocket costs like copays and coinsurance
Who Needs Part B and When to Enroll
If you’re 65 or older and not getting health insurance through work or a spouse, you should sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period. This 7-month window starts 3 months before the month you turn 65.
Live in Greenacres or Sebastian? We can walk you through the process and help you figure out the right timing.
If you delay Part B without other creditable coverage, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty that lasts as long as you have coverage.
Help From Local Medicare Experts
You don’t have to figure it out alone. At Absolute Best Insurance, we’ve helped thousands of people from Broward County to the Space Coast get the medical insurance coverage that fits their budget. And the best part? Our services cost you nothing!
We have offices located throughout the East Coast of Florida, including Deerfield Beach, Port St. Lucie, and Vero Beach, to name a few.
“If you’ve got questions, our agents are here to answer them face to face, over the phone, or online,” says Stacy Murphy, Owner/Operator – Absolute Best Insurance, “This is what we do every day.”
We’re local, we’re licensed, and we stay up to date with every change to original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medigap.
Let us help you find a plan that fits your life, now and in the future. Click here or give our team a call for a free, no-obligation quote.
Tamarac: (954) 642-2101
Deerfield Beach: (754) 778-8700
Greenacres & Vero Beach: (561) 420-0280
Port St. Lucie & Melbourne: (772) 828-2840
Sebastian (Micco): (772) 321-0813