If you’ve ever looked closely at Medicare Supplement (Medigap) coverage, you may have seen the phrase “Part B Excess Charges.” For many people, that phrase is confusing. What is it? And should you worry about it?

Let’s break it down.

What Are Part B Excess Charges?

When you see a doctor that accepts Medicare, they agree to take Medicare’s approved amount as payment. Most doctors do this.

But there’s a small group of doctors who don’t fully accept Medicare’s standard rate. They can charge up to 15% more than what Medicare approves. That extra amount is called an excess charge.

Do You Really See This Often?

The good news: it’s not very common. Most providers nationwide take Medicare’s standard payment.

But it does happen—especially at well-known specialty facilities.

The Mayo Clinic is one of the most common examples. Mayo has been known to go back and forth on whether they accept Medicare “assignment.” That means if you get care there during a period when they don’t, you could be billed excess charges unless your supplement plan covers them.

How Medicare Supplements Help

Not all Supplement plans cover excess charges. Here’s what you need to know:

• Plan G and Plan F both cover Part B excess charges in full.

• Plan N does not cover them—you’d be responsible if they happen.

This is one reason many people choose Plan G—it balances cost and peace of mind by covering those “what if” situations.

Which States Don’t Allow Them

Some states, like New York and Ohio, don’t permit excess charges at all. But in states like Florida, they can happen—so it’s something to think about when picking your plan.

Bottom Line

Excess charges may not come up often, but having the right Medicare Supplement plan means you’ll never need to worry about them—even at major providers like Mayo Clinic.

Call our team at 904-654-5450 or visit www.merebenefits.com to learn whether a Plan G or Plan N makes the most sense for your situation.

Next Step: Check out our blog on Traveling Across the U.S. with a Medicare Supplement to see how your plan choice impacts your freedom on the road.

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