Does Part B cover lab work, preventive services, and mental health?

Part B covers quite a bit beyond just doctor visits. Here's a quick look at each area.Lab work: Medicare covers medically necessary blood tests, urinalysis, and other diagnostic lab services. When ordered by your doctor as part of your care, these are generally covered at 100 percent with no coinsurance, though specifics can vary.Preventive services: This is a meaningful benefit. Part B covers things like the Welcome to Medicare visit, annual wellness visits, mammograms, colonoscopies, bone density scans, diabetes screenings, certain vaccines including flu and pneumonia shots, and more. Many preventive services are covered at no cost to you when provided by a participating provider. If a colonoscopy starts as preventive but a polyp is removed during the procedure, you may end up with some cost-sharing, which surprises people.Mental health: Part B covers outpatient mental health care, including visits with psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, and other licensed mental health professionals who accept Medicare. You typically pay 20 percent after the Part B deductible. Inpatient psychiatric care falls under Part A with its own rules.Always verify that your specific provider accepts Medicare assignment, meaning they agree to Medicare's approved rates, to avoid surprise bills.