A Claim is a request for payment that people submit to health insurance or to Medicare when you receive services (or items) that you believe are covered.

The Benefit period is the way that Original Medicare calculates your use of Skilled nursing facility (SNF) and hospital services. Benefit period starts the day of admission to a hospital or SNF as an inpatient. Benefit periods end when people haven’t received any skilled care in a SNF or hospital care for 60 days in…

An Assignment is agreement by your provider, Supplier or doctor to be reimbursed directly from Medicare, to receive the payment amount that Medicare approves for the service, and to not send you a bill for any more than Medicare’s Coinsurance and Deductible.

An Appeal is a chosen action people take if they disagree with a payment or coverage decision made by a Medicare health plan, Medicare Prescription Drug Plan or by Medicare.  Appeals can be available if Medicare or your plan denies one of the following: A request for a prescription drug, health care service, supply, or…

An Ambulatory surgical center is the location or facility where specific surgeries can be performed for people who aren’t expected to need more than 24 hours of care.

Medigap (also called Medicare Supplement Insurance) is sold by private insurance companies to fill in the coverage “gaps” of Original Medicare.