Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers medically necessary diagnostic and treatment services you get as an outpatient from a
- Medicare-participating hospital. Covered outpatient hospital services may include: Emergency or observation services, which may include an overnight stay in the hospital or outpatient clinic services, including same-day surgery
- Laboratory tests billed by the hospital
- Mental health care in a partial hospitalization program, if a doctor certifies that inpatient treatment would be required without it
- X-rays and other radiology services billed by the hospital
- Medical supplies, like splints and casts
- Preventive and screening services
- Certain drugs and biologicals that you wouldn’t usually give yourself. Generally, Part B doesn’t cover prescription and over-the-counter drugs you get in an outpatient setting, sometimes called “self-administered drugs.” Also, for safety reasons, many hospitals have policies that don’t allow patients to bring prescription or other drugs from home. If you have Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D), these drugs may be covered under certain circumstances. You’ll likely need to pay out-of-pocket for these drugs and submit a claim to your drug plan for a refund. Call your drug plan for more information.