What services are primarily covered under Medicare Part B?

Medicare Part B primarily covers outpatient services, which include visits to healthcare providers, diagnostic tests, preventive services, and some home health care. This aspect of Medicare is designed to assist with necessary medical services that do not require an overnight stay in a hospital. For instance, under Part B, beneficiaries can access routine doctor visits, medical consultations, lab tests, mental health services, and certain types of outpatient therapy, making it essential for maintaining health outside of a hospital setting.

In contrast, Medicare Part A addresses services such as hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, and hospice, while long-term care facilities are generally not covered by Medicare; they are more often addressed through Medicaid or private insurance. Skilled nursing care is typically covered under Part A when it follows a qualifying hospital stay, but ongoing or custodial care in a skilled nursing facility may not be categorized under Part B. Thus, the comprehensive nature of outpatient services under Part B directly demonstrates why this option is the correct answer.