Assignment of benefits is an arrangement in which you authorize your insurance company to pay the health care provider directly instead of reimbursing you. This is also known as direct billing. When a provider accepts assignment, you typically only pay your share (deductible, co-pay, or co-insurance) at the time of service, and the insurer pays the provider for the covered portion. Not all providers accept assignment — many require you to pay the full amount up front and then submit a claim for reimbursement. Assignment is most common at pharmacies, where electronic adjudication allows real-time claims processing. Some dental offices, optometrists, and larger paramedical clinics also offer direct billing. Whether assignment is available depends on the provider, the insurer, and the type of plan.