If you are a person who has Medicare, you should expect to receive a Medicare Summary Notice upon being provided a medical service. A Medicare Summary Notice, or MSN, is a statement sent to Medicare patients that lists information in regards to any health insurance claims. The MSN is not sent directly from Medicare, but from companies who take care of bills for Medicare on a quarterly basis. The Medicare Summary Notice is easy to read and will simply list all of the details for services received. It is not a bill where you will need to submit a payment. However, it will state the amount that you, as a patient, might have to pay for services if they are not covered entirely by Medicare.

The services or supplies listed on an MSN are ones that have been billed within a 90 day period. http://www.medicare.gov/Basics/SummaryNotice_HowToReadB.asp It is important that you understand how to read your Medicare Summary Notice in order to properly verify all services you received. This page will guide you on reading and understanding your Medicare Summary Notice.

A Medicare Summary Notice for Part B services will list outpatient expenses, such as doctor fees, that have been billed to Medicare. The Part B MSN is not a bill nor should you forward any payments until you receive an actual bill.

1. Date – In the upper right hand corner of the notice, you will find the date when the MSN was sent out.
2. Customer Service Information – In this box, which is located underneath the date, you will find contact information if you have questions or concerns about your notice. This box will also include your Medicare number (which can also be found on your Medicare card.
3. Your Name and Address – In the upper left hand side of the MSN, you will find your name and address. Always verify that the name and address are correct.
4. Be Informed – Underneath your name and address, you will find a “Be Informed” note, which will highlight ways to protect yourself from Medicare fraud.
5. Part B Medicare Insurance – Assigned Claims – This box, located at the bottom of the notice, will provide the claim number, the provider’s name and address, dates of services, what services were provided, the amount charged to Medicare, the amount Medicare approved, what Medicare paid the provider, what you may be billed and a “see notes section”. The notes section, which is located below the “Assigned Claims” box, will explain what the corresponding letters in the “see notes section” mean in regards to the claim.
6. Deductible Information – This will notify you of how much of your yearly deductible you have already met.
7. General Information – This will provide important information or news.
8. Appeals Information – This section will advise you on what to do if you disagree with any claims decision on your notice, along with a specific date on when you should file your appeal by.http://www.medicare.gov/Basics/SummaryNotice_HowToReadB.asp

A Medicare Summary Notice for Part A services will list inpatient expenses that have been billed to Medicare. The Part A MSN is not a bill nor should you forward any payments until you receive an actual bill. The Part A Medicare Summary Notice will include the same information as a Part B Medicare Summary Notice, such as the date it was sent, your name, address and Medicare number and contact information if you have questions. The only thing that changes is the box or section which states “Part A Hospital Insurance – Inpatient Claims”. This section will list the inpatient services you received and on what date(s). http://www.medicare.gov/Basics/SummaryNotice_HowToRead.asp You will also find a corresponding claim number and hospital name and address. Other information you may find:

1. Benefits Days Used – This will show you the number of days used in the benefit period.
2. Non-Covered Charges – Provides the amount or charges that have been denied or excluded by the Medicare program. You may be billed for anything that is not covered.
3. Deductible and Coinsurance – This provides the amount that is charged to your deductible and coinsurance.
4. You May Be Billed – This is the amount that the provider may bill you. It includes any coinsurance, deductible and non-covered charges. http://www.medicare.gov/Basics/SummaryNotice_HowToRead.asp

When you receive your Medicare Summary Notice, it is important that you read over it in order to check for any errors or claims you may disagree with. If you find something that is incorrect or a claim is listed for a service you do not remember receiving, you should report it to the company who sent the claim or the provider or supplier who provided the services or equipment. The contact information will be listed on your Medicare Summary Notice. If you disagree with any claim listed on either Part A or Part B, you can request an appeal. To do this, circle any items on the MSN which you disagree with and explain why you disagree with it. Send a copy of the notice to the address listed in the “Customer Service Information” box and sign and date the bottom of the notice. You may also send any additional information that will further back up the reasoning for your appeal. http://www.medicare.gov/Basics/SummaryNotice_HowToRead.asp