Medicare.gov

Blood

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)

 covers blood you get as a hospital inpatient. 

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)

 covers blood you get as a hospital outpatient.

Your costs in Original Medicare

Part A:

In most cases, the hospital gets blood from a blood bank at no charge. If that happens, you won't have to pay for it or replace it. If the hospital has to buy blood for you, you must do one of these:

  • Pay the hospital costs for the first 3 units of blood you get in a calendar year
  • Donate the blood (or have someone else donate it for you)

Part B:

Your provider may get blood from a blood bank at no charge. In that case, for every unit of blood you get:

  • You won’t have to pay for or replace the blood
  • You will have to pay a copayment for the blood processing and handling services, and the Part B deductible applies

If your provider has to buy blood for you, you must do one of these:

  • Pay the provider costs for the first 3 units of blood you get in a calendar year
  • Have the blood donated by you or someone else

Note

To find out how much your test, item, or service will cost, talk to your doctor or health care provider. The specific amount you’ll owe may depend on several things, like:

  • Other insurance you may have
  • How much your doctor charges
  • If your doctor accepts assignment
  • The type of facility
  • Where you get your test, item, or service

Note

Your doctor or other health care provider may recommend you get services more often than Medicare covers. Or, they may recommend services that Medicare doesn’t cover. If this happens, you may have to pay some or all of the costs. Ask questions so you understand why your doctor is recommending certain services and if, or how much, Medicare will pay for them.

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