Using Your Medicare Account to See Claims Before the Paper Notice Arrives

If you have Original Medicare, your secure account on Medicare.gov shows your claims soon after Medicare processes them. Medicare & You says claims are generally available online within 24 hours after processing. Paper Medicare Summary Notices come every 6 months, so the account lets you check a doctor's bill months sooner.

What can I do in my Medicare account?

Medicare & You lists things you can do, including:

• Review your Original Medicare claims as soon as they're processed.
• Print a copy of your official Medicare card.
• Find out which preventive services you're eligible for.
• Add your prescriptions and pharmacies to compare health and drug plans.
• Download your claims data by selecting your name in the top right menu, then "Download my claims & personal data" under "My Account."

Medicare.gov also says you can pay premiums in your account and sign up for Medicare Easy Pay under "My Premiums." See your first Part B premium bill.

How do I sign in?

Medicare.gov's login help page says you can create or log into your Medicare account using ID.me, CLEAR, or Login.gov. You need your Medicare Number to create an account.

A few tips:

• If you already use one of these services for other government sites, you can use it here.
• Medicare.gov says that even if you have an account with one of these services, you can't use your old Medicare username and password once you've switched.
• In-person identity checks are available with ID.me (at places like the UPS Store) or Login.gov, Medicare.gov says, if online verification doesn't work.

How do I use it to check a bill?

When a doctor's or hospital bill arrives:

1. Log in and open your claims.
2. Find the claim with the same provider and date of service.
3. Check the status. If the claim isn't there yet, Medicare may not have processed it.
4. Compare amounts. Look at what Medicare approved and paid, and the most you may be billed.
5. Match it to the bill. Your bill should be at or below what you may owe, before any Medigap or other coverage.

If the claim hasn't shown up yet, you can ask the office to wait before you pay.

What to say to the billing office:

"I checked my Medicare account and don't see a processed claim for [date] yet. Could you hold this bill until Medicare finishes processing it?"

For how to read the amounts, see maximum you may be billed and how to read your Medicare Summary Notice.

Should I sign up for electronic MSNs?

You can. Medicare.gov says that with electronic MSNs, you get an email with a link to your MSN for any month you have a processed claim, instead of paper copies every 6 months. Medicare & You says to visit Medicare.gov/my/eMSN to sign up.

Some families like to keep paper too. Choose what works for you.

Does this work with Medicare Advantage?

The claims view is for Original Medicare. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your plan sends Explanations of Benefits and may have its own online account. See how to read a Medicare Advantage Explanation of Benefits.

Can it help me spot fraud?

Yes. Medicare & You suggests logging into your account to review claims if you see a charge for something you didn't get. Checking every month or two can help you catch claims for visits, tests, or equipment you never had. See Medicare fraud warning signs and lost or stolen Medicare card.

Can I use it for a parent?

Medicare accounts belong to the person with Medicare, and Medicare.gov offers separate ways for someone to get permission to talk with Medicare for them. Medicare.gov's account page also says you can ask Medicare to help create an account, reset a password, or close an account.

Some ways to help:

• Sit with your parent while they log in and look at claims together.
• Ask your parent to set up the account with their own sign-in, and help them each month.
• Get written permission for you to talk with Medicare on their behalf. See how to get permission to talk to Medicare for a parent.

Don't share sign-in passwords in ways your parent isn't comfortable with. If they'd rather not use an account, 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) can answer claim questions.

What if I can't get logged in?

• Check the login help page at Medicare.gov/account/login/help.
• Call 1-800-MEDICARE for help with your account. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
• Ask your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free help. Find yours at shiphelp.org.

Frequently asked questions

How soon do claims show up in my Medicare account?

Medicare & You says Original Medicare claims are generally available within 24 hours after processing.

How do I log into my Medicare account?

Use ID.me, CLEAR, or Login.gov. You'll need your Medicare Number to create the account.

Can I get my Medicare Summary Notices by email?

Yes. Sign up for electronic MSNs and you'll get an email for any month with a processed claim.

Does the account show Medicare Advantage claims?

The claims view is for Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans send their own statements.

Check claims before you pay

Bill Review Coach is a monthly medical bill review service for seniors and their families. Upload your first bill free, no card needed. Snap a photo of the bill and your Medicare notice or claim screen, and you'll get back a plain-English summary of what matches, what looks off, and what to say. Refer a friend and you both get a free month once they join the paid plan. You make the calls and write the emails; we help you know what to say.