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Medicare Part B

Does Medicare Part B pay for prescription drugs?

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) generally does not cover most prescription drugs used at home, but it does cover a limited number of outpatient prescription drugs under limited conditions. Generally, drugs covered under Part B are drugs you wouldn't usually give to yourself, like those you get at a doctor's office or hospital outpatient setting. Drugs not covered under Part B may be covered under Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D). If you have Part D, check your plan's formulary to see what outpatient drugs are covered.

Examples of drugs covered by Part B include: drugs used with an item of durable medical equipment; some antigens; injectable osteoporosis drugs; erythropoisis–stimulating agents; shots including flu shots, pneumococcal shots and Hepatitis B shots; oral cancer drugs and more.