---
title: "What Is Medicare Part B? Home Care Glossary | HomeCare.com"
description: "Medicare Part B is medical insurance. It helps pay for doctor and provider services, outpatient care, durable medical equipment such as walkers and..."
url: https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/medicare-part-b/
publisher: HomeCare.com
phone: 800-974-3458
start: https://care.homecare.com/?source=homecare.com
---

Paying for care

# Medicare Part B

Medicare Part B is medical insurance. It helps pay for doctor and provider services, outpatient care, durable medical equipment such as walkers and wheelchairs, and many preventive services. With Part A it forms Original Medicare. Most people pay a monthly premium, a yearly deductible, and coinsurance.

## Why it matters for your family

Part B can pay for a walker, wheelchair, or hospital bed when a doctor orders it and the item meets Medicare rules. For many covered services, you pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount after the deductible. Part B does not pay for a caregiver to help with bathing, dressing, or meals when that is the only care needed. A common mistake is to read the words medical insurance and assume it covers everyday help at home. It covers medical services. Check the Medicare handbook or call 1-800-MEDICARE before counting on coverage for any item.

Source: [medicare.gov](https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/medicare-basics/parts-of-medicare)

[Read more: What Medicare Doesn't Cover](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/home-care-resources/what-medicare-doesnt-cover/)

## Related terms

-   [**Medicare Part A**Medicare Part A is hospital insurance.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/medicare-part-a/)
-   [**Medigap (Medicare supplement insurance)**Medigap is private insurance that helps pay your share of Original Medicare costs, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/medigap/)
-   [**Walker**A walker is a frame with four legs that a person grips to steady themselves while walking.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/walker/)
-   [**Wheelchair**A wheelchair is a chair on wheels that lets a person move when walking is hard or unsafe.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/wheelchair/)
-   [**Hospital bed**A hospital bed is an adjustable bed used at home for a person who needs help with positioning, rest or transfers.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/hospital-bed/)
-   [**Medicare home health benefit**The Medicare home health benefit pays for part-time or intermittent skilled care at home.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/medicare-home-health-benefit/)

[All glossary terms](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/)

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