Have you received a Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) in the mail? Don’t worry, it’s standard procedure to receive one. Everyone who is covered under Medicare will get an MSN. Your health care providers and hospitals will send their bills for your health care services directly to Medicare. The MSM lists these services.
Medicare Summary Notice
Your Medicare Summary Notice is a basic report of all of the visits to your doctor, medical services, or supplies that have been billed to Medicare in your name. Your Medicare Summary notice is mailed to you every three months and it’s a great piece of information for you to review.
Your MSN is not a bill!
Don’t send anyone a check or payment because your Medicare Summary Notice is not a bill.
We recommend that you compare the details listed on your MSN. Compare the MSM with your actual receipts, medical bills, and statements from your doctors, health care providers and suppliers.
Look to see if everything matches. Make sure to reference the following details:
- Dates
- Billing codes
- Descriptions of services you received
There may come a time when your MSN may show charges for services and supplies you didn’t know that you received — and they could be valid. Often times these are things such as tests or medical consultations. But, for the most part, the dates listed and their codes should match up. If you happen to see that the codes aren’t listed on your provider’s paperwork, simply request copies that include them.
What is listed on the MSM?
The MSM lists more than just the health care services you received in the past 3 months.
The MSN lists:
- The total amount that Medicare has paid to the providers for every service.
- The dollar amount that your providers billed Medicare directly for their services (IMPORTANT: The field named “Amount Charged” will not display your costs.)
- The dollar amount you may be required to pay directly to health care providers. This is shown under the “You May Be Billed” field. (IMPORTANT: You will get a bill from your providers; DO NOT pay anything until you have received a bill from them.)
- All non-covered charges. If you have any services that are excluded (not covered) under Medicare or denied, then this field will show you those charges. If you see a $0.00 listed in this field, then there were no excluded or denied services. If you notice a charge in this field means, then you will be responsible to pay for it. You are able to file an appeal if you disagree with a non-covered charge.
can i get my medicare summary notice online?
Yes you can. Your MSM is available online at MyMedicare.gov. You’ll be able to login and see the charges that are going to be paid by Medicare as well as the charges that you’re responsible for (or your supplemental insurance if you have a separate plan).
What if a service was denied?
If you see that a service or item has been denied, contact your doctor or other health care provider and make sure that they have submitted the information correctly. If they haven’t, the doctor’s office can resubmit.
If encounter a situation where you disagree with any decision made, you are able to file an appeal. Look at the last page of the Medicare Summary Notice. It will show you step-by-step directions on how (and when) to file your appeal.
how long should i keep medicare summary notices?
Holding on to your MSNs for at least 12 months is a good rule of thumb. It allows you to keep track of Medicare’s payment activity. The main reason to save your MSM for 1 year is because Medicare requires that all claims for health care services need to be filed with Medicare within 12 months after the date of service.
If you happen to need a copy of your MSM or lose is, simply dial 1-800-MEDICARE to request a new one. You can also login to your on www.mymedicare.gov.
Michael Quinn is an independent licensed insurance agent with a passion for helping others navigate the complex world of Medicare insurance. With over a decade of experience in the field, Michael has established himself as a trusted advisor to countless individuals seeking guidance on their healthcare coverage options.
In 2013, Michael obtained his license as an insurance agent, laying the foundation for his successful career in the industry. Prior to that, he earned his Masters Degree in Communicative Disorders from the University of Central Florida, which equipped him with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Driven by a genuine desire to make a positive impact on people's lives, Michael co-founded REMEDIGAP in 2013. It was created as a dedicated platform that aims to educate individuals about Medicare insurance. Through REMEDIGAP, Michael provides comprehensive resources and unbiased information to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their healthcare coverage.
With his extensive knowledge and expertise, Michael has been able to guide thousands of individuals towards finding the most suitable Medicare insurance plans tailored to their unique needs. His dedication to his clients' well-being, coupled with his passion for simplifying complex insurance concepts, has earned him a reputation as a compassionate and reliable advisor.
His work has appeared on many blogs and websites including, USA Today, Yahoo.com, Nerdwallet, Think Advisor, and REAL SIMPLE.
Joann Quinn is the Chief Compliance Officer and Cofounder of REMEDIGAP. She is a licensed Medicare agent in 47 states. Her main role is to provide essential resources and tools to educate eligible individuals on Medicare. Joann provides helpful Medicare education to thousands of viewers with our popular REMEDIGAP YouTube channel. With expertise in Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Part D, Joann is a highly knowledgeable and sought after Medicare insurance professional.
