What services are covered by Medicare Part B?

Medicare Part B specifically focuses on providing coverage for a range of outpatient services, which includes physician services and outpatient care. This part of Medicare is designed to help beneficiaries cover medical expenses that do not require hospitalization. It ensures that individuals have access to clinical research, outpatient mental health services, certain preventive services (such as vaccinations and screenings), and durable medical equipment, among other services.

The importance of Medicare Part B lies in its role in supporting individuals who require medical care that does not necessitate an overnight stay in a hospital. It complements Medicare Part A, which primarily covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing care, and some home health services, but does not extend to outpatient procedures or physician's office visits.

In contrast, the other options relate to services that are not covered by Part B. For instance, hospitalization and emergency services fall under Medicare Part A, which addresses inpatient services. Long-term care and custodial services are generally not covered by Medicare at all, and diagnostic tests, while they might be part of the broader services covered under Part B, do not encompass the complete range of outpatient care that Part B includes. Thus, the focus on outpatient care and physician services makes the identification of Medicare Part B clear and defined.