What is the difference between the terms “accepting assignment” and “not accepting assignment”?
The primary difference between these terms has to do with the fee that is charged, and how the bill is processed and paid. A physician who accepts assignment will charge a Medicare determined ‘par’ fee, and will send the bill directly to Medicare. Medicare then pays their portion of the bill directly to the physician. The physician then bills you (or your supplemental plan) directly for the remaining balance. Physicians who accept assignment are referred to as ‘par providers’, because they contract directly with Medicare. A physician who does not accept assignment will charge a Medicare ‘non-par’ fee, which is an amount higher than the ‘par’ fee. The physician will send the claim directly to Medicare, but will also bill you for the entire amount. Physicians who do not accept assignment are referred to as ‘non-par providers’, because they do not contract directly with Medicare. Because of this, the payment of the Medicare portion is made directly to you. Therefore, you are responsible f
