Medicare Resources

Medicare was created in 1965 as part of the Social Security Act. The program was divided into two parts. Part A is hospital insurance and helps to pay for care provided in a hospital, skilled nursing facility, nursing home, or hospice. It covers the room, board, and ancillary charges billed directly by the facility. The covered portion of expenses is based on the number of days the patient has received care. Part B covers the professional services of physicians and nonphysician healthcare providers and a variety of outpatient services including x-rays, laboratory work, and durable medical equipment. As a psychiatrist, you will almost always be working with Part B.