8. Who can “opt out” of Medicare under this provision?

Certain physicians and practitioners can “opt out” of Medicare. For purposes of this provision, physicians include doctors of medicine, osteopathy, optometry, podiatric medicine and doctors of dental surgery. Practitioners permitted to opt out are physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, certified nurse midwives, clinical social workers, and clinical psychologists.

9. Can physicians or practitioners who are suppliers of Durable Medical Equipment Prosthetics Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS), Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities (IDTFs), clinical laboratories, etc., opt out of Medicare for only these services?

No. If a physician or practitioner chooses to opt out of Medicare, it means that he or she opts out for all covered items and services he or she furnishes. Physicians and practitioners cannot have private contracts that apply to some covered services they furnish but not to others. In addition, because suppliers of DMEPOS, independent diagnostic testing facilities, clinical laboratories, etc., cannot opt out, the physician or practitioner owner of such suppliers cannot opt out as such a supplier.

This was from:
Cahaba Government Benefit Administrators®, LLC (Cahaba GBA) administers Medicare health insurance for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We have been a Medicare contractor since the inception of the program in 1966. We are the J10 A/B Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) for the states of Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.