What is Medicare Opt-Out?

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) maintain a list of practitioners who have opted out of Medicare. When a provider opts out of Medicare, Medicare covers no services provided by that individual. No payment can be made to the physician, practitioner, or beneficiaries except for services provided in an emergency/urgent care situation. Only individual providers may opt out of Medicare. Group practices and organizations may not opt-out. CMS updates this list on a quarterly basis.