A Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) is a statement that you’ll get every 4 months if you have Original Medicare (parts A and B).

If you’ve not received any healthcare services in the past 3 months, you’ll not receive an MSN.

If you did receive healthcare services but did not receive an MSN, you can contact Medicare at 800-633-4227.

It’s important to check your MSNs when you receive them to make sure all the information is accurate. This can help protect you from Medicare fraud and scams.

An MSN is a summary of the services and items you received during the previous 3 months that were covered by Medicare.

It’s not a bill.

Generally, an MSN is mailed out every 4 months. It contains information about charges that were billed to Medicare, the amount Medicare paid, and the amount you’re responsible for paying.

Your Part A MSN shows the services billed in your name for inpatient care and services in:

  • hospitals
  • skilled nursing facilities
  • hospice
  • home healthcare

The first page of the Part A MSN shows an overview of the basic information, including:

  • your deductible status
  • the total you may be billed
  • the facilities you received care at

The second page of your Part A MNS explains how to make the most of Medicare, including:

  • how to report fraud
  • how to get help with Medicare questions
  • explanation of benefit periods and where you are in the current period
  • general messages from Medicare

The third page of the Part A MSN details your inpatient claims:

  • explanation of the type of claim
  • definitions of each column on the page
  • information about your visit, such as the facility and dates
  • the dates of the benefit period
  • whether or not the claim was approved
  • the maximum amount you may be billed
»Learn more: Medicare Part A

Your MSN for Part B shows all the services billed in your name for:

  • hospital outpatient care
  • doctor’s services
  • home healthcare
  • preventive services
  • other healthcare services

The first page of your Part B MSN shows:

  • your information
  • your deductible status
  • the providers you saw
  • the total amount you may be billed

The second page shows information about making the most out of Medicare, like:

  • information on preventive services
  • general messages from Medicare
  • how to report fraud
  • how to get help with Medicare

The third page of your Part B MSN gives a more detailed explanation of your claims for the past 3 months, such as:

  • the type of claim
  • definitions of some of the information
  • the provider information and dates of your visit
  • descriptions of the services you received
  • whether or not the claim was approved
  • the maximum amount you may be billed
»Learn more: Medicare Part B

When you receive your MSN, you should check it carefully to make sure all the information is correct. You should also check:

  • if other insurance may cover anything Medicare did not
  • if the information on your MSN matches any receipts or bills you have received from services
  • that the amount you may be billed on the MSN matches any other bills you have received and potentially paid already

If a claim is denied by Medicare, contact your doctor or other healthcare provider to be sure they submitted the correct information. If not, they may resubmit the claim.

If you disagree with any decision made by Medicare, you have the right to file an appeal. The last page of your MSN gives you detailed instructions on how to do this.

An MSN is a quarterly statement from Original Medicare. It shows the services and items that were billed in your name.

You’ll receive one MSN for Part A and one for Part B. Each MSN gives an explanation of the services you received that were covered by the given part.

It’s important that you check your MSNs to make sure everything is accurate. This can help protect you from Medicare fraud and scams.