What happens if a physician or practitioner who opts out is a member of a group practice or otherwise reassigns his or her Medicare benefits to an organization?

Where a physician or practitioner opts out and is a member of a group practice or otherwise reassigns his or her rights to Medicare payment to an organization, the organization may no longer bill Medicare or be paid by Medicare for the services that physician or practitioner furnishes to Medicare beneficiaries. However, if the physician or practitioner continues to grant the organization with the right to bill and be paid for the services he or she furnishes to patients, the organization may bill and be paid by the beneficiary for the services that are provided under the private contract.

The decision of a physician or practitioner to opt out of Medicare does not affect the ability of the group practice or organization to bill Medicare for t he services of physicians and practitioners who have not opted out of Medicare