42 CFR § 424.86 - Prohibition of assignment of claims by beneficiaries.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t42/s424.86"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "42 CFR § 424.86 - Prohibition of assignment of claims by beneficiaries."
title_number: 42
title_name: "Public Health"
section_number: "424.86"
section_name: "Prohibition of assignment of claims by beneficiaries."
chapter_name: "CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "MEDICARE PROGRAM"
part_number: "424"
part_name: "CONDITIONS FOR MEDICARE PAYMENT"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "42 U.S.C. 1302 and 1395hh."
regulatory_source: "53 FR 6634, Mar. 2, 1988, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "424"
---
# 424.86 Prohibition of assignment of claims by beneficiaries.
(a) *Basic prohibition.* Except as specified in paragraph (b) of this section, Medicare does not pay amounts that are due a beneficiary under § 424.53 to any other person under assignment, power of attorney, or any other direct payment arrangement.
(b) *Exceptions*—(1) *Payment to a government agency or entity.* Subject to the requirements of the Assignment of Claims Act (31 U.S.C. 3727), Medicare may pay a government agency or entity under an assignment by a beneficiary (or by the beneficiary's legal guardian or representative payee).
(2) *Payment under an assignment established by court order.* Medicare may pay under an assignment established by, or in accordance with, a court order if the assignment meets the conditions set forth in § 424.90.