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.
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