Outpatient hospital benefits are provided under which part of Medicare?

Outpatient hospital benefits are covered under Medicare Part B. This part of Medicare is designed to provide medical insurance for services outside of an inpatient hospital stay, including outpatient hospital services, preventive care, physician visits, and certain home health services.

Part B is particularly important for beneficiaries who require medical care in a hospital setting without being admitted. It allows patients to receive necessary treatments such as diagnostic tests, screenings, and other outpatient procedures. Medicare Part B generally covers 80% of the approved amount for services after the beneficiary meets their annual deductible.

Other parts of Medicare have different focuses: Part A mainly addresses inpatient hospital stays and skilled nursing facilities, Part C (Medicare Advantage) is a bundled option that includes Parts A and B along with additional benefits, while Part D is specifically for prescription drug coverage. This distinction helps clarify why outpatient hospital benefits fall under Part B and not the others.