Not all doctors accept Medicare for the patients they see, an increasingly common occurrence. This can leave you with higher out-of-pocket costs than you anticipated and a tough decision if you really like that doctor.
So what happens when you sign up for Medicare only to learn it’s a no-go at your favorite doctor? Fortunately, you have some options.
Key Takeaways
- If you choose a doctor who accepts Medicare, you won’t be charged more than the Medicare-approved amount for covered services.
- A doctor can be a Medicare-enrolled provider, a non-participating provider, or an opt-out provider.
- Your doctor’s Medicare status determines how much Medicare covers and your options for finding lower costs.
What Is Medicare?
Medicare is a federal government–sponsored program that provides health insurance for American citizens ages 65 and over. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare into law on July 30, 1965. By 1966, 19 million Americans were enrolled in the program.
Now, more than 50 years later, that number has mushroomed to over 60 million—more than 18% of the U.S. population. As more baby boomers reach age 65, enrollment is expected to hit 81 million in 2035. It’s no wonder that Medicare benefit payments totaled an estimated $796 billion in 2019.
Annual open enrollment for Medicare runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 every year.
If your long-time physician accepts assignment, this means they agree to accept Medicare-approved amounts for medical services.
Can Doctors Refuse Medicare?
The short answer is “yes.” Thanks to the federal program’s low reimbursement rates, stringent rules, and grueling paperwork process, many doctors are refusing to accept Medicare’s payment for services.
Medicare typically pays doctors only 80% of what private health insurance pays. While a gap always existed, many physicians feel that Medicare reimbursements haven’t kept pace with inflation in the past several years, especially the rising costs of running a medical practice. At the same time, the rules and regulations keep getting more onerous, as do penalties for not complying with them.
Most American physicians participate in Medicare and “accept assignment” (what Medicare pays) for their services without additional charges. However, if your doctor is non-participating or has opted out of Medicare, here are five options.
Investopedia / Jake Shi
1. Stay Put and Pay the Difference
If your doctor is what’s called a non-participating provider, it means they haven’t signed an agreement to accept assignment for all Medicare-covered services, but can still choose to accept assignment for individual patients. In other words, your doctor may take Medicare patients but disagrees with the program’s reimbursement rates. These non-participating providers can charge up to 15% over the official Medicare reimbursement amount.
If you choose to stick with your non-participating doctor, you’ll have to pay the difference between the fees and the Medicare reimbursement. Plus, you may have to cough up the entire amount of the bill during your office visit. If you want to be paid back afterward, either your doctor will submit a claim to Medicare, or you may have to submit it yourself using Form CMS-1490S.
Let’s say, for example, your doctor’s bill comes to $300, and Medicare pays $250. This means you’ll have to pay the $50 difference, plus any copay, out of pocket, assuming your doctor agrees to the program’s reimbursement rates. This can add up quickly over time. However, you may be able to cover these extra expenses through a Medigap insurance policy, aka Medicare Supplement Insurance. Provided by private insurers, it is designed to cover expenses not covered by Medicare.
2. Request a Discount
If your doctor is what’s called an opt-out provider, they may still be willing to see Medicare patients but will expect to be paid their full fee—not the smaller Medicare reimbursement amount. These docs accept no Medicare reimbursement, and Medicare doesn’t pay for any portion of the bills you receive from them. That means you are responsible for paying the total bill out of pocket.
Opt-out physicians are required to reveal the cost of all their services to you upfront. These doctors will also have you sign a private contract saying you agree to the opt-out arrangement.
Of course, you can always try to negotiate a discount. It’s not uncommon for physicians to lower their rates for established patients. As a courtesy, they may also offer extended payment plans if you require a series of expensive treatments or procedures.
3. Visit an Urgent Care Center
Urgent care centers have become a popular place for people to go for their healthcare needs. There are now more than 9,000 urgent care centers in the U.S. These centers may also operate as walk-in clinics. Many provide both emergency and non-emergency services, including the treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses, as well as lab services.
Most urgent care centers and walk-in clinics accept Medicare. Many of these clinics serve as primary care practices for some patients. If you need a flu shot or you’ve come down with a relatively minor illness, you may consider going to one of these clinics and save the doctor visits for the big stuff.
4. Ask Your Doctor for a Referral
If you simply cannot afford to stick with your doctor, ask them to recommend the next best doctor in town who does accept Medicare. Your current doctor has probably already prepared for this eventuality and arranged to transfer Medicare patients to another physician’s care.
Just because you are eligible for Medicare doesn’t mean you have to enroll in all four parts. If you have other health insurance—for example, you’re still working and can remain covered by your employer’s group plan—you may want to stick with that plan. Medicare Advantage Plan networks are another alternative to investigate. Physicians in those HMO-like plans have agreed to accept the network’s fees.
5. Search Medicare’s Directory
There are still plenty of doctors who take Medicare. You can find them in Medicare’s Physician Compare directory, a comprehensive list of physicians and healthcare providers across the nation. Once you pinpoint a provider, call to make sure they’re still taking on new Medicare patients. After all, this can change on a dime.
Another approach is to check the best local hospitals and see if any physicians on their staff are taking Medicare patients. When you get names, research them online to learn about their backgrounds.
The CARES Act of 2020
On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed a $2 trillion coronavirus emergency stimulus package, called the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act, into law. It expanded Medicare’s ability to cover treatment and services for those affected by COVID-19. Parts of the CARES Act where extended including Increased flexibility for Medicare to cover telehealth services.
For Medicaid, the CARES Act clarifies that non-expansion states can use the Medicaid program to cover COVID-19–related services for uninsured adults who would have qualified for Medicaid if the state had chosen to expand. Other populations with limited Medicaid coverage are also eligible for coverage under this state option.
Does Every Doctor Accept Medicare?
No. Because of a number of factors, like lower reimbursement rates, paperwork, and regulations, some doctors choose to opt out of Medicare.
What Do I Do If My Doctor Does Not Accept Medicare?
You can choose to stay and cover the costs out-of-pocket, but this is not an affordable option for most Americans. Instead, you can ask your doctor for a referral to another healthcare provider that does accept Medicare, do your own research, or visit an urgent care facility. Most urgent care offices accept Medicare.
Why Do Doctors Refuse to Take Medicare?
Medicare is not always cost effective for doctors. It typically pays doctors only 80% of what private health insurance pays.
The Bottom Line
Thanks to plummeting reimbursement rates, ever-tightening rules, and cumbersome paperwork, many doctors are dropping Medicare. If you recently enrolled in Medicare only to find that your long-standing doctor doesn’t accept it, you have a number of options.
Whether you choose to stick with your cherished physician and pay the potentially exorbitant price or switch to a doctor who does accept Medicare, it’s important to carefully crunch the numbers before you make a final decision. Also, review your own medical situation and whether you need your current doctor—or someone with similar expertise—because of a specialized health issue.