Carrier Manual Update

In “mandatory assignment” situations, i.e., where payment under the Act can be made only on an assignment-related basis to the supplier, the beneficiary (or the person authorized to request payment on the beneficiary’s behalf) is not required to assign the claim to the supplier in order for an assignment to be effective. However, the beneficiary (or the person authorized to request payment on the beneficiary’s behalf) must continue to authorize the release of medical or other information necessary to process the claim and request payment of Medicare benefits for the Medicare Part B covered services pursuant to 42 C.F.R 424.32 and 424.36 (see also Pub. 100-04, ch. 1, sect. 50.1). Physicians or suppliers who agree to (or must by law) accept assignment from Medicare cannot attempt to collect more than the appropriate Medicare deductible and coinsurance amounts from the beneficiary, his/her other insurance, or anyone else.