Costs, Coverage, And How To Avoid Surprise Bills
Medicare can feel like a puzzle. Once you see how the pieces fit, it gets much simpler. If you live in Alabama and want a clear, steady walk through Part B, you are in the right place. In this guide, you will learn what Part B costs in 2026, what it covers, what it does not cover, and how to keep your bills predictable. You will also see quick tips to tell outpatient from inpatient billing so you can avoid surprises.
A quick Part B snapshot for 2026
Monthly premium: $202.90 for most people.
Annual deductible: $283.
After the deductible, Medicare pays 80 percent of approved charges, and you pay 20 percent unless you enroll in a Medicare Supplement Plan.
Part B covers outpatient care, doctor visits, preventive services, and more.
If you want a deeper definition of Part B in plain language, see what is Medicare Part B medical insurance on my website. It explains how Part B works alongside the rest of Medicare.
Medicare Part B focuses on outpatient and medically necessary services. Common examples include:
- Doctor and specialist visits.
- Preventive care, such as your Annual Wellness Visit and many screenings and vaccines.
- Lab work and imaging, like blood tests, X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans.
- Same-day surgeries and procedures at clinics or ambulatory centers.
- Medically necessary physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.
- Durable medical equipment, such as walkers, wheelchairs, and oxygen equipment.
- Some home health services when you meet eligibility rules.
- Outpatient mental health care, including therapy and certain medications given in a clinic.
These services are usually billed under Part B, not hospital Part A. After you meet the $283 deductible, you pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount unless you have a Medigap plan or you are in a Medicare Advantage plan with different copays.
Think of Original Medicare as two parts working together:
Part A covers hospital stays and related facility care when you are admitted. You can read more about hospital inpatient care on our site if you want a plain language overview.
Part B covers doctor and outpatient care, including preventive services and equipment.
You should add Part D for retail prescription drugs.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) to pay the 20 percent coinsurance under Medicare Part B.
Medicare Advantage, also called Part C, which is a private plan that bundles Parts A and B, usually Part D. I can help you explore Medicare Advantage plans in Alabama and compare them to Medigap options.
Preventive Care
Part B covers many preventive services at no cost to you when you see providers who accept assignment. Good places to start:
- Annual Wellness Visit.
- Flu, COVID 19, pneumonia, and other recommended vaccines.
- Screenings for diabetes, heart conditions, colon cancer, and more.
- Annual eye checks for glaucoma if you are high risk, and follow up care after cataract surgery when needed.
- Preventive care helps you catch issues early and avoid bigger bills later.
Your next step, get a personalized Alabama review
You do not have to figure this out alone. If you are in Alabama, we can walk you through Part B costs, help you decide between Medigap and Medicare Advantage, and match a Part D plan to your medications and pharmacy. We will keep it simple and local to you.
Ready to feel confident about your coverage? Schedule a one-on-one review today by contacting me at 65 Plus Health Plans. I are here to help you understand, compare, and choose a plan that fits your life in Alabama.