What are Medicare Part B medications?

Asked by: Marguerite Brekke  |  Last update: December 16, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (4 votes)

Medicare Part B covers outpatient prescription drugs and biologicals (referred hereafter as drugs) under certain conditions, for example, drugs provided as part of (or incident to) a physicians' service, and drugs furnished for use with covered durable medical equipment.

What drugs are included in Medicare Part B?

Examples of drugs covered under Medicare Part B include:
  • Injections for osteoporosis.
  • Some transplant medications.
  • Immunosuppressants.
  • End-stage renal disease (ESRD) medications.
  • Flu, pneumonia, and Hepatitis B shots.

What type of treatment is covered under Medicare Part B?

Medicare Part B helps cover medically-necessary services like doctors' services and tests, outpatient care, home health services, durable medical equipment, and other medical services. Part B also covers some preventive services.

What is included in Part B of Medicare?

Part B (Medical Insurance)

Outpatient care. Home health care. Durable medical equipment (like wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and other equipment) Many preventive services (like screenings, shots or vaccines, and yearly “Wellness” visits)

What vaccines are covered by Medicare Part B in 2024?

Medicare Part B plan will pay for the following:
  • COVID-19 vaccines.
  • Hepatitis B vaccines for persons at increased risk of hepatitis.
  • Influenza (flu) vaccines.
  • Pneumococcal vaccines.
  • Vaccines directly related to the treatment of an injury or direct exposure to a disease or condition, such as rabies and tetanus.

What does Medicare Part B Cover?

38 related questions found

What are the 6 things Medicare doesn't cover?

Some of the items and services Medicare doesn't cover include:
  • Eye exams (for prescription eyeglasses)
  • Long-term care.
  • Cosmetic surgery.
  • Massage therapy.
  • Routine physical exams.
  • Hearing aids and exams for fitting them.

What is the difference between Medicare Part B and D?

If you are a hospital outpatient, Part B should cover all medications that relate to the reason for your hospital visit; however, Part D will cover medications that you administer yourself and do not relate to the hospital visit.

What is not covered in Part B Medicare?

Medicare Part B does not pay for some services that fall under the coverage of other parts. Examples include inpatient hospital services, which Part A funds, and most prescription medications, which Part D funds. Medicare regularly evaluates which services Part B will cover.

What injections are covered under Medicare Part B?

Shots (vaccinations): Medicare covers flu shots, pneumococcal shots and COVID-19 vaccines. Medicare also covers Hepatitis B shots for certain people, and some other vaccines when they're related directly to the treatment of an injury or illness.

Which of the following prescription forms is not acceptable under Medicare Part B?

Final answer: Under Medicare Part B, a prescription communicated via voicemail is not acceptable. Both handwritten prescriptions and faxed forms signed by a physician are valid.

Which item is not covered under Medicare Part B?

Medicare Part B typically doesn't cover routine vision, hearing, and dental care, regular foot care, and aids like eyeglasses, contact lenses, and hearing aids. But Part B policies often change, so it's important to verify coverage details with Medicare.

What drugs does Medicare not pay for?

Medicare does not cover:
  • Drugs used to treat anorexia, weight loss, or weight gain. ...
  • Fertility drugs.
  • Drugs used for cosmetic purposes or hair growth. ...
  • Drugs that are only for the relief of cold or cough symptoms.
  • Drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction.

Is Medicare Part B free at age 65?

Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) is free for almost everyone. You have to pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part B (medical insurance). If you already have other health insurance when you become eligible for Medicare, you may wonder if it's worth the monthly premium costs to sign up for Part B.

Which item is generally covered under Medicare Part B?

Part B covers things like:

Durable medical equipment (DME) Limited outpatient prescription drugs. Mental health & substance use disorders. Oxygen equipment & accessories.

What drugs does Medicare B pay for?

Some examples of drugs covered by Original Medicare Part B include:
  • Vaccinations.
  • Some antigens.
  • Blood clotting factors.
  • Injectable and infused drugs.
  • Injectable osteoporosis drugs.
  • Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents.
  • Oral end-stage renal disease drugs.
  • Transplant and immunosuppressive drugs.

Is the 2024 vaccine covered by Medicare?

Medicare covers the updated 2024-2025 Pfizer or Moderna vaccine for people 5 and older.

What injections are free on NHS?

What travel vaccines are provided for free by the NHS?
  • cholera.
  • hepatitis A.
  • diptheria, polio, tetanus (administered as a combined vaccine)
  • typhoid.

What falls under Medicare Part B?

Part B helps pay for covered medical services and items when they are medically necessary. Part B also covers some preventive services like exams, lab tests, and screening shots to help prevent, find, or manage a medical problem. Cost: If you have Part B, you pay a Part B premium each month.

Does Medicare Part B cover an ambulance?

Medicare Part B covers emergency ambulance services and, in limited cases, non-emergency ambulance services. Medicare considers an emergency to be any situation when your health is in serious danger and you cannot be transported safely by other means.

What blood tests does Medicare not cover?

It's important to know that Medicare won't cover any blood test if it isn't medically necessary. If you seek a blood test on your own, it's unlikely you'll get it covered. Tests not covered may include those for employment purposes, wellness screenings, or routine monitoring without medical necessity.

Can pharmacies bill under part B?

Medicare Part B has limitations on pharmacy billing. There are two “Specialty codes” that may be used by pharmacies, each with limitations. Specialty 73 is for “Mass Immunization Roster Billers” and Specialty A5 (formerly Specialty 87) is for “Pharmacy”.

Does Medicare Part B cover antibiotics?

So, if you had an infection in the hospital, Medicare Part A may cover medications (such as antibiotics) to treat it. Medicare Part B, medical insurance, may cover prescription drugs administered to you in an outpatient setting – for example, if you receive medications through an infusion.

Is prednisone a part B or D?

Certain drugs such as Prednisone are covered under Part B when they are used to prevent organ rejection for a patient who has had a Medicare covered transplant.