Medicare is an essential benefit that many Hawaii residents rely on for their health and well-being. While Medicare statements may seem like routine paperwork, they are actually one of the most powerful tools you have to manage your benefits and protect yourself from fraud, errors, and abuse.
Taking a few minutes to review your Medicare statements can help you stay informed, catch mistakes early, and protect not only yourself—but the Medicare system as a whole.
Depending on the type of Medicare coverage you have, you will receive one of two main statements:
If you are enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), you will receive a Medicare Summary Notice (MSN). MSNs are mailed every three months, but they are also available online at Medicare.gov. By creating a free, secure Medicare account, beneficiaries can view their most recent MSNs, track claims, and review bills processed within the past 36 months.
If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D), you will receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB). These are typically mailed monthly when services are used, and many plans also offer online access to claims and payment details.
Although they may look like bills, MSNs and EOBs are not bills. They explain:
Reviewing this information helps ensure everything listed matches the care you actually received.
Medicare fraud and billing errors are more common than many people realize. Reviewing your statements as soon as they arrive is one of the most effective ways to spot potential problems early.
To protect yourself:
If something doesn’t look right, contact your health care provider or insurance plan first. If concerns remain, help is available.
The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Hawaii is dedicated to helping Medicare beneficiaries protect, detect, and report potential fraud, errors, and abuse. Trained SMP volunteers provide education, one-on-one assistance, and community presentations to empower beneficiaries across the islands.
SMP Hawaii is ready to answer questions, review concerns, and guide you through next steps if you suspect a problem with your Medicare statements.
📞 Call: 1-800-296-9422
📧 Email: info@smphawaii.org
🌐 Visit: www.smphawaii.org
When you review your Medicare statements, you are doing more than managing your own benefits—you are helping protect Medicare for everyone. Catching errors and reporting concerns saves money, reduces abuse, and helps ensure this vital program remains strong for Hawaii’s kūpuna and future generations.
Your Medicare statement isn’t just paperwork. It’s a tool—and when used regularly, it helps safeguard your health, your finances, and your community.
