Which of the following best describes Medicare Part B eligibility?

Medicare Part B is designed to provide coverage for outpatient services, preventive care, and some home health services. The correct understanding of eligibility states that individuals must first qualify for Medicare Part A, which generally requires that they or their spouse have worked and paid Medicare taxes for a specific period. After qualifying for Part A, individuals need to apply for Part B separately to receive its benefits.

This process ensures that individuals understand the scope of Part B coverage and can choose to enroll based on their specific health care needs and circumstances. It is not an automatic enrollment; members must be proactive in applying for it once they are eligible. By differentiating between Part A and Part B, it becomes clear that eligibility extends beyond just age, focusing instead on work history or experience with the healthcare system.

The other options do not accurately represent the eligibility requirements of Medicare Part B. For instance, stating that anyone can enroll regardless of age overlooks the requirement of having Part A eligibility. Similarly, the assertion that it is available only to individuals over 70 is incorrect, as eligibility begins at age 65, and finally, claiming it is automatically included with Medicare Advantage plans misunderstands the relationship between Parts A, B, and Advantage coverage. Medicare Advantage plans combine various elements of Medicare but