Medicare Part B Excess Charges in Florida: What You Need to Know
About 15% of the United States population is enrolled in Medicare. While so many are part of the program, the rules are not always so clear. This is especially true when the rules change or new additions are made that don’t make a lot of sense.
Are you worried that your doctor doesn’t take Medicare? Do you know about Medicare Part B excess charges and want to be sure that you don’t get extra bills?
To learn more about Medicare Part B excess charges and how to avoid them, keep reading below.
What Is Medicare Part B?
Medicare Part B is a section of Medicare for outpatient services. This would include things like a visit to the doctor for preventative care.
Part B will cover many different outpatient procedures, including:
- Vaccinations
- Preventative screenings
- Mental health care
- Lab testing
- ER services
Original Medicare was made up of Part A, which helps patients pay for inpatient bills, and Part B.
What Are Medicare Part B Excess Charges?
Not all medical providers accept Medicare and doctors that do accept it are saying they agree to accept the Medicare-approved amount as payment.
If you see a doctor that doesn’t accept Medicare, they will charge you for the excess that Medicare doesn’t cover. This may be as high as 15% more.
A Medicare-approved provider will send the bill directly to Medicare, so you won’t have to worry about any of the charges.
Medicare Part B excess charges in Florida can happen if you see a medical provider that is not Medicare-approved. They will end up asking you for the full payment right away, so you would have to get reimbursed for the part of your bill that is covered by Medicare.
Remember that Medicare will pay for 80% of the bill and you will receive a bill for the rest.
Avoiding Medicare Part B Excess Charges
You should never assume that a medical provider is going to accept Medicare.
It is a good idea to ask if they accept Medicare “assignment” before you make an appointment. This is true even with doctors that you have seen in the past.
You’ll also want to be sure that you familiarize yourself with what Medicare Part B covers and what it does not cover.
Which States Allow Medicare Part B Excess Charges?
Doctors are not allowed to charge Medicare Part B excess charges in:
- Vermont
- Connecticut
- New York
- Ohio
- Massachusetts
- Rhode Island
- Minnesota
- Pennsylvania
If you live in any of these states, you won’t have to worry about Medicare Part B excess charges.
In other states, including Florida, you can expect excess charges if you do not see a provider that is Medicare-approved.
In addition to this, if you travel to a state that allows excess charges and seek medical care, you will need to make sure the provider accepted Medicare to avoid excess charges.
Do You Have More Medicare Questions?
Medicare has a lot of rules to remember and follow, so it can be confusing to handle it on your own.
We have NW Florida Medicare agents ready to help you! If you have questions regarding Medicare or other changes you’ve heard about, we have the answers you’re looking for.
To find out more about the Medicare Part B excess charges or anything else related, contact us today.