Message 2 of 15
Letter in the mailAn envelope from Medicare. Inside, a multi-page statement headed “Medicare Summary Notice” with the words “THIS IS NOT A BILL” in capitals. It lists doctor visits and tests from recent months.
Legitimate, a scam, or impossible to tell?
Correct. Not quite. People in Original Medicare receive a Medicare Summary Notice by mail when claims have been processed. It shows what providers billed, what Medicare paid and what you may owe. It asks for nothing. It is also one of the best fraud detectors you have: read the list, and if a service or supplier appears that you do not recognize, call the provider and then 1-800-MEDICARE.
More: Are You Overpaying Your Doctor? The Secret Lies in Your EOB