What is it called when a doctor accepts the Medicare approved amount?

When a doctor accepts the Medicare approved amount, this is referred to as "assignment." This means that the healthcare provider agrees to accept the Medicare fee schedule as full payment for the services rendered to the patient. By accepting assignment, the doctor typically agrees to bill Medicare directly and receive payment directly from Medicare, which can alleviate the financial burden on the patient.

This process is beneficial for patients, as it often means lower out-of-pocket costs for them, as they are responsible only for any applicable copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance, rather than paying the full fee billed by the provider. Additionally, when a provider accepts assignment, they cannot charge the patient more than the Medicare-approved amount for the service, ensuring transparency and affordability in healthcare costs.