Over ninety percent of physicians participate in Medicare. It’s called Medicare Assignment, and if your provider accepts Medicare Assignment, there will be no Excess Charges outside of your Part B deductible ($257 in 2025).
There are basically four types of relationships a physician can have with Medicare.
- None at all, they simply do not accept Medicare.
- Physician accepts Assignment of Benefits, meaning they bill Medicare.
- Physician does not accept Assignment and can require you to pay the Medicare allowed amount and Medicare or your Medicare Supplement policy will reimburse you. However, the physician can charge an additional 15% surcharge.
- Doctor accepts Medicare Assignment, but not new patients.
Most of the time if you have been with a particular doctor for some time and transition into Medicare, with a Medicare Supplement, there should be no issues at all.
In an age of doctor practices merging with hospitals and many independent practices outsourcing their health records and billing, those within the doctor’s office are often ill-prepared to answer how their physicians handle Medicare. While most accept Medicare Assignment, it’s best to be sure.
Does your doctor accept Medicare? Medicare has an online tool to check if your doctor accepts Medicare Assignment.
Visit https://www.medicare.gov/physiciancompare
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Farnum Health Insurance 