A medical provider that accepts Medicare Assignment is required to do what?

When a medical provider accepts Medicare Assignment, it means they have agreed to accept the amount Medicare reimburses for their services as payment in full. This includes the payment schedule that Medicare establishes, which sets a standardized fee for various medical services. By doing so, the provider cannot bill the patient for any additional amount beyond what Medicare has determined is the allowed charge for the service. This arrangement is designed to keep costs predictable for patients and ensures that they are not confronted with unexpected out-of-pocket expenses for services covered by Medicare.

This agreement effectively protects beneficiaries by maintaining transparency about healthcare costs, allowing patients to have confidence that they will only be responsible for their share of costs, such as co-payments or deductibles, not for any excess fees that the provider might otherwise seek to charge. Hence, accepting Medicare Assignment is a commitment by the provider to adhere to these regulations and reimbursement rates, ensuring a fair process for both patients and the Medicare program.