Does Medicare Cover Durable Medical Equipment?
Medicare Part B covers medically necessary durable medical equipment, or DME, when prescribed for use in your home and Medicare’s requirements are met.
What Does Medicare Assignment Mean?
Last Modified: 10/02/2026 | Reviewed by Keith Armbrecht (NPN 634015)
Quick Summary
Medicare assignment means a doctor, provider or supplier agrees to accept the Medicare-approved amount as full payment for a covered service.
When a provider accepts assignment:
- Medicare pays its share
- You generally owe only the applicable deductible and coinsurance
- The provider can’t charge more than the Medicare-approved amount for the covered service
Most Medicare providers accept assignment, but it’s worth checking.
Key Facts
- Assignment applies to Original Medicare.
- A participating Medicare provider must accept assignment.
- Your costs are generally lower when assignment is accepted.
- Providers accepting assignment submit claims directly to Medicare.
- Non-participating providers may accept assignment case-by-case.
- Certain non-participating providers can charge above the Medicare-approved amount.
- In many situations, the limiting charge is no more than 15% abovethe Medicare-approved amount.
- Plan G covers applicable Part B excess charges.
- Plan N doesn’t.
Example
Medicare-approved amount:
$100
After the Part B deductible, Medicare’s normal share for many services is:
$80
Your normal coinsurance:
$20
If the provider accepts assignment, they can’t simply decide to bill you $150 for that Medicare-covered service.
What If the Provider Doesn’t Accept Assignment?
A non-participating provider may still treat Medicare patients.
The provider can choose to accept assignment for an individual claim.
If assignment isn’t accepted, you may have to:
- Pay more upfront
- Pay a potential excess charge
- Wait for Medicare reimbursement
What Is the Limiting Charge?
For many physician services, a non-participating provider who doesn’t accept assignment can’t charge more than:
15% above Medicare’s approved amount.
That additional amount is commonly called an:
Excess charge
Plan G vs. Plan N
Plan G
Covers applicable Medicare Part B excess charges.
Plan N
Doesn’t.
What If a Doctor Opts Out of Medicare?
That’s different from simply not accepting assignment.
A doctor who has formally opted out of Medicare may enter private contracts with Medicare patients.
Medicare and Medigap generally don’t operate in the normal manner for those privately contracted services.
Video Explanation from Keith
Does Your Doctor Accept Medicare Assignment?
Keith's Take
People often ask:
“Does my doctor take Medicare?”
I’d add one more question:
“Do you accept Medicare assignment?”
Most providers do.
But if you’re considering Plan N, knowing whether your doctors accept assignment becomes more relevant because Plan N doesn’t cover excess charges.
It’s a simple question that can prevent surprises.
Keith Armbrecht
Medicare on Video
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What does accepting assignment mean?
A. The provider agrees to accept Medicare's approved amount as full payment for the covered service.
Q. Do most doctors accept assignment?
A. Medicare says most doctors and providers do.
Q. Can a doctor charge above the Medicare-approved amount?
A. Certain non-participating providers can, subject to Medicare's limiting-charge rules.
Q. What is the usual limiting charge?
A. In many cases, no more than 15% above the Medicare-approved amount.
Q. Does Plan G cover excess charges?
A. Yes.
Q. Does Plan N?
A. No.
Q. Is opting out the same as not accepting assignment?
A. No.
Official Government Sources
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