Part B is the half of Original Medicare that follows you to the doctor's office, the lab, the imaging center, and the outpatient clinic. Here's what it covers, what it costs, and what trips people up.
Part B is where most day-to-day Medicare coverage happens — your doctor visits, labs, imaging, durable medical equipment, and a long list of preventive screenings. Unlike Part A, Part B requires a monthly premium no matter how much you've worked. Select a topic below to go deeper.
Doctors, outpatient care, preventive services, durable medical equipment, mental health, and the services most people actually use every year.
Most people pay $202.90/month in 2026 — but higher earners pay more. Learn how IRMAA works, what income thresholds trigger it, and how to appeal it.
Miss your enrollment window and pay 10% more per year — permanently. What the penalty is, how it's calculated, and the one scenario where it doesn't apply.
Betsy will walk through your specific situation — whether to take Part B now, how to handle it with employer coverage, and how to keep costs down.
"Part B is the one that catches people when they're still working past 65. The question of whether to take it now or delay is never the same answer for everyone — it depends on your employer's size, your coverage, and what your long-term plan is. Getting this wrong can mean a permanent penalty you pay every month for the rest of your life. This is one of the conversations I have most often, and it's one of the most important ones to have before you decide."
Get a free, no-pressure conversation with Betsy — a licensed independent advisor who works for you, not for any insurance company.
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