Discover five options to consider when your doctor doesn't accept Medicare, from negotiating rates to finding new providers, and understanding the implications. If a doctor doesn't accept Original Medicare, a person may face higher costs. To avoid this, you can switch to a doctor who does or to a Medicare Advantage plan that includes the doctor in your network. If a doctor doesn't accept Medicare, you have the option of continuing to see it, but you're likely to incur higher costs. You can also consult a different provider.
Medicare offers an online directory that lists participating providers. If your doctor is what is called a non-participating provider, it means that you have not signed an agreement to accept the assignment of all services covered by Medicare, but that you can still choose to accept the assignment for individual patients. Instead, you can ask your doctor to refer you to another health care provider that accepts Medicare, to do your own research, or to go to an urgent care center. If a doctor doesn't accept Medicare, it may result in higher out-of-pocket costs for a person or may require them to find a new health professional.
