How long should I keep my Medicare Summary Notices?

Question

Robin Dall · Accepted Answer

A good rule of thumb is to keep your Medicare Summary Notices for at least one year, longer if a bill, claim, appeal, or tax question is still unresolved.

Your Medicare Summary Notice, often called an MSN, is not a bill. It is a record of Medicare Part A and Part B claims, including services or supplies billed to Medicare, what Medicare paid, and the maximum amount you may owe.

These notices can help you check for billing errors, compare them with provider bills, and review claim decisions.

You may want to keep them longer if:

• You are disputing a claim
• You are appealing a denial
• You need them for tax records
• You have ongoing medical treatment
• The notice relates to a bill that has not been fully resolved

If everything matches your bills and there are no open questions, many people keep Medicare Summary Notices for about a year and then safely shred the paper copies.

You can also view Medicare claims online through your Medicare.gov account, which may reduce the amount of paper you need to keep.

Mary Brown · Answer

You should keep your Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) for at least 1 year, since they can be used to track services, spot billing errors, and support appeals.

If you’re dealing with ongoing treatment or claims issues, it’s smart to keep them longer, up to 3–5 years for your records.

Priscilla Ramos · Answer

Keep your Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) for at least 1 year, up to 3 years is better.
Why keep them:
Check for billing errors or fraud
Compare with provider bills
Use for tax or appeal purposes

Amy Jones · Answer

1-3 years is the suggested time frame, but make sure to verify that you do not have any outstanding unpaid bills or charges which may need disputed.

Kris Moen · Answer

Hang onto them for a year or two just to make sure everything checks out. If something looks off or gets messy, keep them longer—otherwise you’re safe to clean house.

Doug Carlson · Answer

I recommend keeping your Medicare Summary Notices for at least five years even thought most brokers lean towards only two years.

Kristen Skinner · Answer

At least for the year. But as far as keeping them any longer than 2 years, I do not think that is necessary.

Jack Mayer · Answer

To be safe I would keep them until the end of the year. Most people just toss them but I always ask my clients to hold on to them until the following year.

Mike Alexander · Answer

For at least a year, disguard them once you get the new ones.
If its a claim issue i wuld keep them until the claim us settled

Terry Salak · Answer

Most documentation you receive from Medicare, including your Medicare Summary Notices, can typically be found on your SSA.gov account. Take the time to familiarize yourself with all the information you can access electronically on your portal.

Answered by Terry Salak on June 23, 2026

Agent Licensed in FL, AL, AZ & 11 other states

Answered by Terry Salak Medicare Insurance Agent

Leonie Dawkins · Answer

Your plan summary must be kept as long as you have that plan. When you get a new plan, you will also get a new plan summary.

How long should I keep my Medicare Summary Notices?

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How long should I keep my Medicare Summary Notices?

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Seniors: Ask a Question of Your Own

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A non-government resource website