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

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.

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 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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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