Why did I receive a Medicare Summary Notice, and what should I do with it?

Question

Glenn Quinn · Accepted Answer

A Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) is a quarterly statement sent to individuals with Original Medicare (Parts A and B) that summarizes their claims for services and supplies billed to Medicare during that period. It details what Medicare paid, what you owe, and if the service was approved. MSNs are not bills; they are a record of claims and payments. There is nothing you need to do with the statement.

Answered by Glenn Quinn on April 20, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, AL, AR & 13 other states

Answered by Glenn Quinn Medicare Insurance Agent

Larry Dalton · Answer

A Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) is sent after a healthcare provider files a claim with Medicare for services. The MSN summarizes the claim details, including what was billed and paid to the provider. The Medicare-approved amount is how much Medicare paid on the charges, and what’s left over is your obligation if you don’t have another secondary insurance to pick up those charges. You should always review your MSN to ensure the information is accurate and to track your out-of-pocket expenses.

Answered by Larry Dalton on May 2, 2025

Broker Licensed in OK & TX

Answered by Larry Dalton Medicare Insurance Agent

Lt Col Tim Brown · Answer

Medicare requires it to be sent out to you.  What to do with it? You could read it or what ever you want.

Tasha Riggs · Answer

The notice is used to Notify beneficiaries of decisions on a claim made for Medicare. 
I would open it and see what claim they are talking about. If you have questions I would call them.

Michael Denniston · Answer

You receive a summary whenever Medicare is billed on your behalf. It is for your reconciliation. It makes sure you know what has been billed and how, with exact numbers. It helps prevent fraud, waste and abuse and insures you are aware and can verify services received and the billing is correct. I always look at my summaries when they come. You may find something was coded wrong and perhaps you were overcharged? It is a particularly effective way to keep you up to date on your health care and billing history. If everything looks right, you need not do anything, but my advice is to keep the summaries somewhere for your records.

Answered by Michael Denniston on August 4, 2025

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

Answered by Michael Denniston Medicare Insurance Agent

Richard Moreno · Answer

It is not a bill. It is a summary of what was paid by Medicare and also your portion. Part of the reason is to check and see if there are any discrepancies and your are not being charged for a service you didn’t receive.

Answered by Richard Moreno on June 6, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX, FL, LA, NM & OH

Answered by Richard Moreno Medicare Insurance Agent

Anthony Castelluccio · Answer

Your Medicare Summary Notice usually is automatically generated and mailed to you quarterly.  This notice is not a bill.  It will show you all of the Medicare claims for the last quarter and weather the services are Medicare approved or not.  This notice could also show other services that are fraudulent.  Over the past few years, we have been seeing more and more services submitted under a Medicare beneficiaries number and it's really not from them, it's fraudulent. 
Most people I work with will review and keep their Medicare Summary Notices on file.

Tom Rogala · Answer

Your plan changes every year.  That is why you need to make sure and have your agent quote even if your plan is currently working for you.

Steven Bleicher · Answer

Since fraud, waste and abuse is top of mind nowadays, a MSN informs you that charges have been processed and await Medicare's approval as a legitimate test or screening. With rampant identity theft, if something seems awry, report it asap so you can stop the fraud/abuse in its tracks! You can file it away with the yearly tax returns in case you are ever audited by the IRS.

Answered by Steven Bleicher on June 2, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Michael Pyers · Answer

Check it over to make the charges are for services you received.  The notice will also show if you owe anything.  Such as your part B deductible no being met yet.

Leslie Kaz · Answer

A Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) is a statement you receive every 3 months if you have Original Medicare. It’s not a bill—it shows the medical services you received, what Medicare paid, and what you may owe. Review it carefully to make sure the information is correct, compare it with your doctor’s bills, and keep it for your records. If you notice any mistakes or charges for services you didn’t receive, report them to Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE.

Answered by Leslie Kaz on May 12, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA, AL, AZ & 7 other states

Answered by Leslie Kaz Medicare Insurance Agent

Diana Salisbury · Answer

You had medical appointments or services performed. This summary indicates what Medicare paid, if you have a secondary insurance plan (such as a Medigap plan), and if you have met your current year deductible.

Answered by Diana Salisbury on April 16, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH, IN & MI

Answered by Diana Salisbury Medicare Insurance Agent

Tabitha Kampfer · Answer

ThatThat is a hard one to answer. I’m not quite sure what you mean by a summary notice. Feel free to reach out if he would like to discuss it.

William Pierce · Answer

The Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) shows:

All your services or supplies that providers and suppliers billed to Medicare during that period
What Medicare paid
The maximum amount you may owe the provider

What should you do if you get this notice?
If you have other insurance, check to see if it covers anything that Medicare didn’t.
Keep your receipts and bills, and compare them to your MSN to be sure you got all the services, supplies, or equipment listed.
If you paid a bill before you got your notice, compare your MSN with the bill to make sure you paid the right amount for your services.
If an item or service is denied, call your doctor’s or other health care provider's office to make sure they submitted the correct information. If not, the office may resubmit. If you disagree with any decision made, you can file an appeal. The last page of the MSN gives you step-by-step directions on when and how to file an appeal.

Fred Manas · Answer

You receive a Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) if you have original Medicare (Parts A and B) and have received services covered by Medicare during the past three months. The MSN is not a bill, but rather a statement summarizing the services, supplies, and equipment you received, how much Medicare paid, and how much you might owe. It's crucial to review your MSN to ensure accuracy and to catch any potential errors or fraud. 
Why You Received the MSN:
Original Medicare Coverage: You have original Medicare (Parts A and B) and used covered services. 
Services within the Past Three Months: You received medical services, supplies, or equipment that Medicare covers. 
No MSN for Medicare Advantage: If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you won't receive an MSN; instead, you'll get an Explanation of Benefits (EOB). 
What to Do with the MSN:
Review Carefully: Open and read your MSN as soon as possible. 
Verify Charges: Check the MSN against your records of medical bills and payments to ensure accuracy. 
Contact Provider if Needed: If there's a discrepancy or denial, contact your healthcare provider to clarify the issue. 
Appeal Denials: If Medicare denies a claim, you have the right to appeal the decision. The MSN provides instructions on how to file an appeal. 
Track Expenses: Use the MSN to keep track of your Medicare-related expenses. 
Prevent Fraud: Reviewing MSNs can help you detect errors or potential fraud. 
Digital MSNs: You can also access and manage your MSNs online at MyMedicare.gov medicareenrollment.com.

Gary Henderson · Answer

If you're referring to a claim as a summary notice that tells you what the doctor or hospital builds, what Medicare paid and what you owe. If anything, if you are just on original Medicare that would mean you would owe the 20% that Medicare didn't cover 
It would be different if you're on a Medicare supplement plan or Medicare advantage plan according to the plan coverage and I'm referring to the advantage plan. Supplement plan would be covered at 100% after the annual part b deductible if that applied

Toni Chavez · Answer

thanks for your question.

You will want to review this and compare any doctor bills from your provider.  if you find any discrepancies, call your provider and discuss..

You normally can toss these within 12 months to 24 months, unless you want to keep for longer, it’s up to you.

Hope to answer your question. Have a great day.

Robert Evans · Answer

Medicare Summary Notice is a document is for people with Original Medicare receive to review their healthcare claims. It summarizes the services billed to Medicare, what Medicare paid, and what the beneficiary may owe. They are typically mailed every 4 months, but you can also access them online. 
It is not a bill.

Glenda Martin · Answer

You're highlighting the importance of understanding Medicare options and enrollment periods to avoid mistakes. Let's break it down further:

*Understanding Medicare Enrollment Periods:*

- *Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)*: This is the first chance to enroll in Medicare, typically starting three months before your 65th birthday and lasting for seven months.
- *Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)*: This occurs every year from October 15 to December 7, allowing you to change or enroll in a new Medicare plan.
- *Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs)*: Certain life events, such as losing employer coverage or moving to a new area, may qualify you for an SEP.

*Key Considerations:*

- *Medicare Advantage Plans*: These plans combine Part A and Part B coverage, often with additional benefits like dental or vision care. Consider network restrictions and out-of-pocket costs.
- *Medicare Supplement Plans*: These plans help fill gaps in Original Medicare, covering costs like deductibles and copays. Consider your healthcare needs and budget.
- *Part D Prescription Drug Coverage*: If you take prescription medications, consider enrolling in a Part D plan to avoid penalties and gaps in coverage.

*Tips for Success:*

- *Seek Professional Guidance*: Consult with a licensed insurance agent or Medicare expert to understand your options.
- *Carefully Review Plans*: Compare Medicare plans based on your healthcare needs, budget, and preferences.
- *Stay Organized*: Keep track of important dates, such as enrollment periods and plan renewal dates.

By being informed and proactive, you can navigate the Medicare enrollment process with confidence and make the best decisions for your healthcare needs.

Tommy Lawson · Answer

This is essentially your EOB for Medicare. It's a summary of your Medicare claims within a three-month period for what Medicare paid for and what you may owe to a provider or facility. You should look it over and make sure it's correct before doing anything. The MSN is not a bill and won't ask you to pay Medicare anything, however, is a good reference to track out of pocket expenses that may have been charged by providers.

Answered by Tommy Lawson on May 21, 2025

Broker Licensed in KY, CT & IN

Answered by Tommy Lawson Medicare Insurance Agent

Why did I receive a Medicare Summary Notice, and what should I do with it?

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