Which Part B services typically have no deductible?

Which Part B services typically have no deductible?

• A. Inpatient hospital services
• B. Home health agency services
• C. Clinical laboratory tests
• D. Prescription drugs

Answer: (B)

Part B cost-sharing includes a yearly deductible for most services, followed by 20% coinsurance. But some services are treated as 100% coverage under Part B, with no deductible and no coinsurance. The clearest example is clinical laboratory tests. Medicare pays for these tests in full under Part B so you don’t pay the deductible or the coinsurance for the lab work ordered by your doctor. Inpatient hospital services fall under Part A and have their own deductible per benefit period, not Part B. Home health services are typically Part A benefits when they arise from a qualifying hospital stay, with separate cost-sharing rules; when discussed under Part B, they don’t universally carry a no-deductible treatment. Prescription drugs are largely covered under Part D (with some physician-administered drugs billed under Part B), which have their own cost-sharing structure.

Part B cost-sharing includes a yearly deductible for most services, followed by 20% coinsurance. But some services are treated as 100% coverage under Part B, with no deductible and no coinsurance. The clearest example is clinical laboratory tests. Medicare pays for these tests in full under Part B so you don’t pay the deductible or the coinsurance for the lab work ordered by your doctor.

Inpatient hospital services fall under Part A and have their own deductible per benefit period, not Part B. Home health services are typically Part A benefits when they arise from a qualifying hospital stay, with separate cost-sharing rules; when discussed under Part B, they don’t universally carry a no-deductible treatment. Prescription drugs are largely covered under Part D (with some physician-administered drugs billed under Part B), which have their own cost-sharing structure.