Medicare Part B helps cover medically-necessary services like doctors’ services, outpatient care, and other medical services that Part A doesn’t cover. Part B is optional. Part B helps pay for covered medical services and items when they are medically necessary.
Cost: Most people will pay the standard monthly Part B premium of $96.40 for 2009, but some people will pay a higher premium based on their income. If you are single (file an individual tax return) and your yearly modified adjusted gross income is more than $82,000 or if you are married (file a joint tax return) and it is more than $164,000, your monthly Medicare Part B premium may be higher than the standard premium. These amounts change each year.
Also, in some cases, your monthly premium amount may be higher if you didn’t sign up for Part B when you first became eligible. The cost of Part B may go up 10% for each 12-month period that you could have had Part B but didn’t sign up for it.
You will have to pay this extra amount as long as you have Part B, except in special cases. You can find out if you have Part A and/or Part B by looking at your Medicare card. Your card may look slightly different than the card below. It’s still valid. Keep this card safe. You will use this card to get your Medicare-covered services in Original Medicare.
