About 9 out of 10. In the Medicare enrollment data CMS publishes for Care Compare (the Doctors and Clinicians national file, updated August 2026), most Medicare-enrolled clinicians in both states are listed as accepting Medicare assignment.
| Group | Texas | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| All Medicare-enrolled clinicians | 88.4% (115,794) | 90.5% (69,027) |
| Physicians (MDs and DOs) | 92.4% (55,311) | 93.9% (30,184) |
| Primary care (family, internal, general practice, geriatrics) | 91.5% (15,749) | 94.4% (9,111) |
| Surgeons (MDs and DOs in surgical specialties) | 95.5% (5,220) | 96.4% (2,561) |
The rest are listed as "may accept," which means they decide claim by claim. Doctors who have opted out of Medicare entirely are not in this data. Each clinician is counted once, and counts appear in parentheses.
What "accepting assignment" means
A doctor who accepts assignment takes the Medicare-approved amount as full payment, so you owe only your normal share. A doctor who does not can charge up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount. That extra amount is called an excess charge.
Why it matters for Plan G vs Plan N
- Plan G covers Part B excess charges.
- Plan N does not cover excess charges, and it has copays of up to $20 for office visits and up to $50 for ER visits that do not lead to admission.
Because so few doctors in these states charge excess amounts, Plan N can save money on premiums for people who stay with doctors that accept assignment. People who want zero surprises, or who see a surgeon or specialist who does not accept assignment, are usually better off with Plan G.
How to check your doctor
Search for the doctor at medicare.gov/care-compare and look for the Medicare assignment line on the profile, or ask the office whether they accept Medicare assignment.
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Talk to a licensed iHealthAgents advisor
Not sure which plan fits? Book a free call at calendly.com/iha/medicare, or call Illinois 312-726-6565 or Texas 972-666-0578.
Source: CMS Doctors and Clinicians national downloadable file (Care Compare), Texas and Illinois, August 2026 update. For educational use only. Plan benefits and prices vary by carrier and location.
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