Find a Doctor Who Takes Medicare

Written by: Alison Shmerling; Medical Director
Last updated: October 12, 2026
Read time: 5 min

Key points

A doctor who accepts Medicare assignment takes Medicare's price as full payment. On the phone, ask: "Do you accept Medicare assignment?"
With a doctor who accepts assignment, you pay 20% of Medicare's price after the $283 yearly deductible in 2026.
A doctor who does not accept assignment can usually charge up to 15% more. A doctor who opted out of Medicare can charge you the whole bill.
Medicare's Care Compare tool, at medicare.gov/care-compare, lists doctors near you who work with Medicare.

Call the office and ask, "Do you accept Medicare assignment?" Then ask if they take new Medicare patients. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, ask if they're in your plan's network. When your doctor retires or you move, finding a new one can take a lot of phone calls. To find names to call, use Medicare's Care Compare tool, or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

You pay the least if

The doctor accepts Medicare assignment.
You have a Medicare Advantage plan and the doctor is in its network.
You also have Medicaid, and the doctor takes both.

Not sure a doctor takes Medicare? Ask anyway, because one phone call to the office can save you money. If you would rather not make the calls, a Pair Team advocate can help you find a doctor.

Three kinds of doctors in Original Medicare

Kind of doctor	What it means	What you pay in 2026
Participating (accepts assignment)	Takes Medicare's price as full payment and bills Medicare for you	20% of Medicare's price, after the $283 deductible
Non-participating	Takes Medicare, but may not accept Medicare's price for every visit	Usually up to 15% more than Medicare's price. This is called the limiting charge. You may have to pay up front.
Opted out	Does not work with Medicare at all	The full bill. Medicare pays nothing, except in an emergency.

Why ask "Do you accept Medicare assignment?"

Ask about assignment because "Do you take Medicare?" can mean any of the three kinds of doctors. Most doctors accept assignment, Medicare says, but check before your visit.

A doctor who accepts assignment can charge you only your deductible and your 20%. They send the bill to Medicare and usually wait for Medicare to pay before they bill you.

A doctor who opted out will ask you to sign a private contract. Medicare will not pay for any of that care, so talk to your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) before you sign.

How do I use Care Compare?

Go to medicare.gov/care-compare and pick "Doctors & clinicians."
Type your ZIP code and a specialty, like "cardiology," or a doctor's name.
Open a doctor's profile. It shows the phone number, whether the doctor accepts Medicare assignment, and whether they offer telehealth.
Some doctors let you book online.
Either way, call to make sure they take new Medicare patients.

If the site is hard to use, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for help.

What if I have a Medicare Advantage plan?

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, the plan's network matters most. Check your plan's list of doctors, or call the number on your plan card.

HMO plans: In a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), you generally must use doctors in the network, except for emergencies. You usually need a referral to see a specialist.
PPO plans: In a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), you can see doctors outside the network, but you usually pay more. You don't need a referral.

If your doctor isn't in your plan, you can change plans during Open Enrollment, each fall from October 15 to December 7. New plans start January 1.

Where else can I find a doctor?

Community health centers: The federal government says it funds about 1,400 health centers with more than 16,600 sites. With Medicare, you usually pay 20%, and the $283 deductible does not apply. Fees are lower if your income is limited. You can find one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.

Specialists: With Original Medicare, you usually don't need a referral, but ask the same question about assignment.

Therapists: Medicare pays for counseling with many kinds of therapists, including marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors. See what Medicare pays for therapy and counseling.

What to do if no one is taking new patients

Ask to be put on a waitlist. Also ask if a nurse practitioner in the office has openings, so you can be seen sooner.
Try a community health center near you, where the yearly deductible doesn't apply.
Call your plan if you have Medicare Advantage, to ask for a doctor in the network who has room.
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to get names near you.
Call your SHIP at 1-877-839-2675 for free one-on-one help. SHIPs are busiest during Open Enrollment, so call early if you can.

If you have Medicare and Medicaid

Ask if the doctor takes both Medicare and your state's Medicaid. Each state keeps its own list of Medicaid doctors, so call your state Medicaid office or your plan. See having Medicare and Medicaid together.

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) is one of the Medicare Savings Programs. If you have it, doctors cannot bill you for Medicare copays. That's true even if they don't take Medicaid. If a bill comes anyway, call 1-800-MEDICARE.

What a Pair Team advocate does

A doctor search often comes with something else, like a refill that's running out or no way to get to the visit. Here's what we do:

Call offices for you to find a doctor who accepts assignment and has openings.
Check that the doctor is in your plan's network, or takes Medicaid too.
Set up the first visit and a ride to get there.
Help with what usually comes with it: prescriptions, food, utilities and housing.

An advocate is covered by Medicare if you qualify. It takes two minutes to find out.

Check if you qualify for a Pair Team advocate

Frequently asked questions

Can I see a doctor by video?

Yes, you can see a doctor by video. Through December 31, 2027, Medicare covers telehealth from anywhere in the U.S., including your home. For most visits, you pay the same as you would in person.

Can a doctor charge me to send my bill to Medicare?

No, doctors who work with Medicare cannot charge you to send your bill to Medicare. They must send your claim for you, and if you're charged for it, call your SHIP for help.

Can my doctor stop taking Medicare?

Yes, a doctor can stop taking Medicare by opting out for at least 2 years at a time. Every 2 years, they can choose to opt out again or come back. If your doctor opts out, use Care Compare to find a new one.

Does the 15% limit apply to medical equipment?

The 15% limit does not apply to some medical equipment and supplies, Medicare says. A supplier that doesn't accept assignment may charge more, so ask before you order. See what Medicare pays for walkers, wheelchairs and beds.

What if my doctor leaves my Medicare Advantage plan?

If your doctor leaves your Medicare Advantage plan, the plan must tell you. You can pick another doctor in the plan, or switch plans during Open Enrollment.

Sources

About the author

Alison Shmerling

Medical Director

Alison Shmerling is Pair Team's Medical Director. Since 2024, she has overseen its nurse practitioners, nurses and care managers.

Read bio