What Does "Accepts Medicare Assignment" Mean for Medical Equipment Suppliers?
Accepting Medicare assignment means a supplier agrees to take the Medicare-approved amount as full payment. See how it affects your costs and how to find suppliers that accept it.
What is Medicare assignment?
Medicare assignment is an agreement by a supplier to accept the Medicare-approved amount as full payment for a covered item. When a supplier accepts assignment, it bills Medicare directly. You pay your Part B deductible, if it applies, and your share of the approved amount, which is typically 20 percent. The supplier may not charge you more than that for the covered item.
Every supplier listing on this site shows whether the supplier accepts assignment, based on the public dataset.
What happens if a supplier does not accept assignment?
A supplier that does not accept assignment may charge more than the Medicare-approved amount, and it may ask you to pay the full price at the time of service. Medicare then reimburses you according to its rules. This can leave you with higher costs and more paperwork. Always ask before you order whether the supplier accepts assignment for the specific item.
How do assignment rates differ across the country?
Assignment rates vary by state and by supplier type. The assignment rate ranking compares every state with at least 100 listings. Pharmacies and dedicated medical supply companies often differ, so the supplier type pages show each group's rate separately, for example on the pharmacy page.
How do you use assignment when you compare suppliers?
Treat assignment as a first filter, not the only one. Start with suppliers that accept it, then compare delivery time, equipment range, and support hours. The checklist for choosing a supplier walks through those factors. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, the plan's network rules can matter more than assignment, so check with the plan too.
Where can you find suppliers that accept assignment?
Open any state or city page to see the share of suppliers that accept assignment, then check individual listings. The state directory is the quickest starting point, and the ZIP code lookup shows the assignment status of suppliers around an address.
Frequently asked questions
Does accepting assignment guarantee that Medicare will cover an item?
No. Assignment describes how the supplier is paid. Coverage depends on medical necessity, a valid order, and the plan you use.
Does assignment apply to Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage plans use their own networks and cost rules. Ask the plan and the supplier how a specific item will be billed.
Where should you go next?
Continue with a related guide, browse the equipment families this topic touches, or look up suppliers in your state.
- How to Choose a Medical Equipment Supplier
- Medicare Coverage for Durable Medical Equipment
- Diabetes supplies
- Ostomy and urological supplies
- Pharmacy-dispensed drug categories
- Suppliers by state
- ZIP code lookup
This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. Verify coverage details with Medicare, your plan, and your clinician.
- Medicare.gov: Medicare Coverage of Durable Medical Equipment & Other Devices (PDF)
- Medicare.gov: official tool to find medical equipment suppliers
- CMS: DMEPOS information center
Last reviewed: November 11, 2026. This guide summarizes Medicare's published materials in plain language. It has not been reviewed by a licensed clinician. See our editorial policy and methodology.