Recieving Bills from Dr.

[gail]

I have been on Medicare for 8 months. I have been to 4 different doctors, who according to the official Medicare website, " accept the Medicare-approved amount as payment in full" yet I recieved bills from all 4 of these doctors. Why is that?
Gail

 

[Mack]

Hi Gail,

Welcome to MyMedicareForum.com!

Medicare only pays 80% so the doctor will bill you for the other 20%. As an example the "medicare approved" fee for a doctor visit may be $100. So Medicare will pay $80 of it and the doctor will bill you for the other $20. The "medicare approved" amount is also called "medicare assignment". If a doctor accepts "medicare assignment" it means he won't charge any more than the fees allowed by Medicare. Again, 20% of that fee is your responsibility.

Most people with original Medicare get a Medicare supplement program to take care of all or most of the 20%.

 

[gail]

Hi Gail,

Welcome to MyMedicareForum.com!

Medicare only pays 80% so the doctor will bill you for the other 20%. As an example the "medicare approved" fee for a doctor visit may be $100. So Medicare will pay $80 of it and the doctor will bill you for the other $20. The "medicare approved" amount is also called "medicare assignment". If a doctor accepts "medicare assignment" it means he won't charge any more than the fees allowed by Medicare. Again, 20% of that fee is your responsibility.

Most people with original Medicare get a Medicare supplement program to take care of all or most of the 20%.

Thanks Mack, I guess I just assumed that the "payment in full" meant that I didn't have to pay the 20%. I appreciate you clarifying that for me.
Gail

 

[mattspits]

Gail,

I highly recommend that you look into a Medicare supplement. Medicare doesn't cover everything. If you would like to find out more about Medicare coverage visit my blog at www.medicare-plans.net