Final answer:
When a medical care provider accepts Medicare patients but does not accept assignment, they can charge the patient more than the Medicare-approved amount. Providers who don't accept assignment have the freedom to set their own fees and may choose to balance bill the patient for the remaining charges.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a medical care provider accepts Medicare patients but does not accept assignment, it means that the provider has chosen not to accept the Medicare-approved amount as full payment for services. In this case, the provider can charge the patient more than the Medicare-approved amount, up to a limit called the limiting charge.
However, it's important to note that accepting Medicare patients without accepting assignment may result in additional out-of-pocket costs for the patient, as they will be responsible for paying the difference between the provider's charges and the Medicare-approved amount. Providers who don't accept assignment have the freedom to set their own fees and may choose to balance bill the patient for the remaining charges.