My elderly parents see a doctor who takes "medicare assignment", what does that mean?

Answer 1

If your parents' MD takes assignment, then he has agreed not to charge more for services than the amount that medicare approves. eg: If your doctor charges $20.00 for a service and medicare approves $15.00 then he must "write off" the $5.00 difference. You will still receive a bill (or you coinsurance will cover some amount)because medicare will only pay for 80% of the amount that they approved. Using our example: 80 % of $l5.00 is $l2.00 which medicare will pay directly to your parents' doctor (hospital, whatever). Either your parents or their coinsurance owe the $3.00 difference.