Doctor & other health care provider services

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers medically necessary doctor services (including outpatient services and some doctor services you get when you’re a hospital inpatient) and covered preventive services.

If you haven’t received services from your doctor or group practice in the last 3 years, you may be considered a new patient. Check with the doctor or group practice to find out if they’re accepting new patients.

Your costs in Original Medicare

You pay 20% of the Medicare-Approved Amount for most services. You pay nothing for certain preventive services if your doctor or other provider accepts assignment . The Part B deductible applies. 

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

Things to know

A doctor can be one of these:

  • Doctor of Medicine (MD)
  • Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
  • In some cases, a dentist, podiatrist (foot doctor), optometrist (eye doctor), or Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)

Medicare also covers services you get from other health care providers, like:

  • Clinical nurse specialists
  • Clinical psychologists 
  • Clinical social workers
  • Nurse practitioners
  • Occupational therapists 
  • Physician assistants
  • Physical therapists
  • Speech-language pathologists