The majority of primary care doctors accept Medicare.
Still, it’s always smart to double-check your coverage before an appointment—especially when seeing a specialist. You can confirm by calling the doctor’s office and sharing your Medicare information or by contacting your Medicare provider directly.

In short, yes—most doctors accept Medicare. About 93% of non-pediatric primary care physicians participate in Medicare, which is nearly the same as the 94% who accept private insurance. However, acceptance can vary depending on the type of Medicare plan you have and whether you’re already an established patient.

Below is what you need to know about Medicare coverage and how to make sure you’re covered.

How to Find a Doctor Who Accepts Medicare

The Medicare website features a search tool called Physician Compare, where you can look up doctors and healthcare facilities that participate in Medicare. You can also call 800-MEDICARE to get help from a representative.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, contact your plan provider or log into your member portal to search for in-network doctors.

Most search tools let you filter results by:

• Medical specialty or condition

• Body system or organ

• ZIP code or location

• Doctor’s name

• Gender

• Hospital affiliation

Once you find a doctor, call their office to confirm that they accept Medicare and are taking new Medicare patients.

Why Some Doctors Decline Medicare

Some physicians may choose not to accept Medicare for business or administrative reasons. If your doctor stops taking Medicare, you can either pay out of pocket or find another provider who does.

Doctors who haven’t agreed to accept assignment (the Medicare-approved payment amount) for all services are known as non-participating providers. These providers are enrolled in Medicare but can decide on a case-by-case basis whether to accept Medicare’s approved rate.

What to Do If a Doctor Doesn’t Accept Medicare

Participating Medicare doctors can’t charge you more than the Medicare-approved amount. However, non-participating doctors can bill up to 15% more, a markup known as the limiting charge. Some states cap this extra fee at 5%, in addition to the standard 20% coinsurance.

Depending on office policy, you may need to pay these costs upfront or after your visit. Be sure to ask about payment procedures before your appointment so you know what to expect.

If you pay out of pocket, you have one year to submit a reimbursement claim to Medicare.

The Takeaway

Most doctors do accept Medicare, but it’s always best to confirm ahead of time. If your provider stops taking Medicare, talk with them about how it affects your coverage and what alternatives you have to stay financially protected.