What Does Medicare Assignment Mean?
Medicare assignment means a doctor, provider or supplier agrees to accept the Medicare-approved amount as full payment for a covered service.
Medicare Part B Explained: Coverage, Costs & Benefits for 2026
Last Modified: 10/05/2026 | Reviewed by Keith Armbrecht (NPN 634015)
Quick Summary
Medicare Part B is the medical-insurance portion of Original Medicare.
It helps cover doctors and other healthcare providers, outpatient care, many preventive services, durable medical equipment, certain home healthcare and other medically necessary services.
In 2026, the standard Part B premium is $202.90 per month, and the annual Part B deductible is $283.
Key Facts
- Part B is Medicare’s Medical Insurance.
- Covers medically necessary physician services.
- Covers outpatient care.
- Covers many preventive services.
- Covers qualifying durable medical equipment.
- Covers certain home health services.
- Covers certain medications administered in medical settings.
- Standard 2026 premium: $202.90/month.
- 2026 deductible: $283/year.
- After the deductible, beneficiaries commonly pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for many services.
- Higher-income beneficiaries may pay IRMAA.
- Medigap can help with Part B cost sharing.
What Does Medicare Part B Cover?
Doctors and Healthcare Providers
Part B covers medically necessary services from physicians and many other healthcare professionals.
Outpatient Services
This can include:
- Outpatient surgery
- X-rays
- Diagnostic testing
- Therapy
- Other qualifying outpatient services
Preventive Services
Part B covers many preventive services, including qualifying screenings, vaccines and the Medicare yearly Wellness visit.
Durable Medical Equipment
Part B can cover medically necessary equipment such as:
- Wheelchairs
- Walkers
- Hospital beds
- Oxygen equipment
- CPAP equipment
- Other qualifying DME
Certain Medications
Although most outpatient prescription drugs fall under Part D, Part B covers certain drugs under specific circumstances.
Examples can include some physician-administered drugs and drugs used with qualifying durable medical equipment.
What Does Part B Cost in 2026?
Standard Monthly Premium
$202.90
Annual Deductible
$283
After the deductible, you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for many covered Part B services.
Does Part B Have an Out-of-Pocket Maximum?
Original Medicare by itself doesn’t have a general annual out-of-pocket maximum.
This is one reason beneficiaries may consider Medicare Supplement insurance.
How Does Plan G Work With Part B?
You pay the annual Part B deductible.
Afterward, Plan G generally pays the applicable remaining Part B coinsurance for Medicare-approved services according to its standardized benefits.
Video Explanation from Keith
Medicare Part B Explained Simply
Keith's Take
Part B is where most of the healthcare people use every day falls:
Doctors
specialists
outpatient procedures
testing
and much more.
The number I want people to understand is the 20% coinsurance.
Original Medicare generally doesn’t put an annual cap on that exposure by itself.
That’s one of the main reasons people look at Medigap or Medicare Advantage rather than stopping with Part A and Part B alone.
Keith Armbrecht
Medicare on Video
Frequently Asked Questions About Medicare Part B
Q. What does Part B cover?
A. Doctors, outpatient care, preventive services, durable medical equipment and other qualifying medical services.
Q. What is the Part B premium in 2026?
A. $202.90 per month for the standard premium.
Q. What is the Part B deductible?
A. $283 in 2026.
Q. What do I pay after the deductible?
A. For many Part B services, you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.
Q. Does Part B cover prescriptions?
A. It covers certain drugs under specific circumstances. Most outpatient prescription coverage is handled through Part D.
Q. Does Part B cover hospital care?
A. Physician and certain outpatient hospital services can fall under Part B. Inpatient hospital facility coverage generally falls under Part A.
Q. Does Plan G cover Part B?
A. Plan G supplements Original Medicare and generally pays applicable Part B coinsurance after you satisfy the Part B deductible.
Official Government Sources
Explore Related Guides
Does Medicare Cover Durable Medical Equipment?
Medicare Part B covers medically necessary durable medical equipment, or DME, when prescribed for use in your home and Medicare’s requirements are met.
