Supporting Information

What’s the difference between "participating and non-participating" physicians?

Note: The Physicians displayed on this tool can be "Participating" and "Non-Participating". Physicians with the ‘P’ icon participate in Medicare.

• Participating physicians agree to accept assignment on all claims. These physicians may only bill you your share of the costs (deductible and coinsurance amounts). Medicare pays the physician directly.
  
  
• Non-participating physicians choose on a claim-by-claim basis whether or not to accept assignment. If the non-participating physician doesn’t accept assignment, Medicare pays you directly and the non-participating physician may bill you up to the limiting charge. If you go to a non-participating physician, it will probably cost you more.

When physicians agree to accept assignment they accept the Medicare approved amount as payment in full. If a physician chooses not to accept assignment, their costs are often higher, which means you may pay more.

For more information on assignment, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY/TDD users should call 1-877-486-2048.

 

Medicare Participation for Other Healthcare Professionals

Note: Most healthcare professionals listed participate in Medicare. This means they agree to accept mandatory assignment in all claims. These healthcare professionals may only bill you your share of the costs (deductible and coinsurance amounts). Medicare pays them directly.

Healthcare Professionals that aren't required to accept assignment are:

- Audiologist - Psychologist who bill independently

- Physical Therapists - Occupational Therapists

Check with these other healthcare professionals to see if they accept assignment on Medicare claims and covered services.