Part B of Medicare primarily covers which type of services?

Part B of Medicare primarily covers outpatient services. This includes a wide range of medically necessary services and supplies that are provided on an outpatient basis. For instance, Part B covers services such as physician visits, preventive care like annual wellness checks and screenings, diagnostic tests, and outpatient hospital services. This component of Medicare focuses on the services that are typically provided outside of a hospital setting, as opposed to inpatient services, which are covered under Part A.

The distinction is important because it captures the essence of how Medicare is structured to provide comprehensive healthcare coverage based on different care settings. Outpatient services are critical for ongoing management of chronic conditions and access to necessary preventive care, thus ensuring that beneficiaries have affordable options for medical attention without the need for hospitalization.