Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)
Medicare Part B helps cover doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, labs, and more—everything outside the hospital.
May River Medicare Insurance helps you understand, enroll, and make the most of your Part B benefits, with no cost or pressure.
What Does Part B Cover?
  • Doctor office visits and outpatient care
  • Preventive services: screenings, vaccines, wellness visits
  • Lab tests, x-rays, diagnostic services
  • Outpatient surgeries and emergency room care
  • Durable medical equipment (wheelchairs, oxygen, etc.)
  • Mental health (outpatient counseling, therapy, and some medications)
Note: Part B does **not** cover most prescription drugs (see Part D).
How Much Does Part B Cost?
  • Monthly Premium: Most people pay $174.70/month in 2024 (higher income may pay more)
  • Annual Deductible: $240 (2024)
  • Coinsurance: Usually 20% of approved costs after deductible
Our team explains your real out-of-pocket costs—and how to limit them.
How Do You Enroll in Part B?
  • If you get Social Security, you’re usually enrolled automatically at 65 (can delay if you have employer coverage)
  • If not, apply online at Social Security or let us help you avoid late penalties
  • Special Enrollment available if you lose employer coverage later on
We’ll walk you through every step, including forms and documentation.
Questions about Medicare Part B?
Call (843) 227-6725 or book a free Part B consult online.
Who Is Eligible for Medicare Part B?
  • Most people age 65 or older
  • U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents (5+ continuous years)
  • People under 65 may qualify due to certain disabilities or ESRD
  • May delay enrollment if you have employer coverage (avoid penalties by knowing the rules!)
Not sure when to enroll? Our advisors can help you avoid costly mistakes.
How May River Medicare Helps
  • Personal eligibility check and cost breakdown
  • Help with every step of enrollment or delaying (if needed)
  • Answers about coverage, claims, and what’s covered
  • Yearly reviews to ensure Part B is still right for you
Book a free Part B review and get local, unbiased help anytime.
FAQs: Medicare Part B
Do I need to sign up for Part B if I’m still working?
Maybe not—if you have creditable employer coverage. We’ll help you decide and avoid late penalties.
What if I miss my initial enrollment?
You may face a penalty, but there are special periods if you had employer coverage. Ask us for help.
Does Part B cover prescriptions?
No, but it covers drugs given in a clinic or doctor’s office. Outpatient Rx is Part D.
How do I pay for Part B?
Premiums are usually deducted from your Social Security check or billed quarterly.
Can I change my coverage later?
Yes. You can review options during Open Enrollment or if your situation changes.
Still have questions? Call our Medicare experts for clear answers about Part B—no pressure, no cost.
Call (843) 227-6725 or book a free Part B consultation now.

Medicare Plan B

Plan B is a type of Medigap plan that helps fill in the gaps in Medicare.

Medigap Plan B covers everything Plan A does, as well as the Part A deductible.

The cost of Medigap Plan B will vary from person to person.


Medigap Plan B Benefits

Medicare Supplement Plan B, also called Medigap Plan B , offers the same benefits as Plan A. In addition, it will also pay your Part A hospital deductible for you. This is a significant benefit as the Part A deductible is over $1,500, and tends to increase slightly each year. To see this year’s deductible


What does Medicare Plan B cover though?

 Having Medigap Plan B means you will never have to worry about that deductible going up.

Medicare Plan B
is the most basic Medicare Supplement.

Medigap Plan B Benefits

Your hospital deductible is a per-incident deductible, not an annual one, so this is an important benefit. Medicare Plan B will pay the deductible even if you incur it more than once in the same year.



The chart below shows basic information about the different benefits Medigap policies cover.

✔ = the plan covers 100% of this benefit
X = the plan doesn’t cover this benefit
% = the plan covers that percentage of this benefit and you’re responsible for the rest
N/A = not applicable

The Medigap policy will only pay your coinsurance after you’ve paid the deductible (unless the Medigap policy also covers your deductible).


Benefits Under Medigap Plan C

Medigap Plan B Costs

Each insurance company that offers Medigap Plan B sets its own rates. These rates can vary widely by region. Your zip code, gender, age, tobacco usage, and eligibility for household discounts also affect the rate.

The insurance companies also have different loss ratios from their existing clients. Just remember that the benefits are standardized so a Medigap Plan B with one carrier has the same benefits as Plan B with the next. Choose a carrier with low rates and a good, stable history of low-rate increases. Our quoting software can provide all of that information for you.

Medicare Supplement Plan C is Different than Part C

Medigap Plan B is just one of the many different Supplements you can purchase to help offset your medical expenses. It is not the same as Part B, which is the outpatient medical coverage you purchase directly from Social Security.

People must have Part B for outpatient coverage, and then they still need a Supplement to help them pay for the things that Original Medicare doesn’t cover. Just make sure not to confuse the two – and if you feel uncertain, give us a call.

Because these two things are similarly named, many people find the terminology hard to understand. It’s very important to understand the difference before you make an insurance choice.

Key Takeaways
  • Medigap Plan B should not be confused with Medicare Part B, which provides coverage for outpatient services.
  • Medigap Plan B offers the same benefits as Medigap Plan A, plus the Part A deductible.
  • The cost of a Medigap plan such as Plan B depends on multiple factors, such as your age, zip code, gender, and tobacco use.

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We’ve got representation available in
all 43 states.

May River Medicare beneficiaries are served in 43 states. Unlike other agents and brokers, we provide lifelong support for your policy and deliver exceptional customer service.

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