HHZ Respiratory Review

Medicare Summary Notice for DME: how to read it

1 min read By HHZ Editorial Next review

The Medicare Summary Notice isn't a bill. It lists every DME item a supplier billed to Medicare, what Medicare paid and the Maximum You May Be Billed. Original Medicare sends it every 6 months if you had claims, or monthly by email if you opt in. Check each item against what you received, look at the Approved column and notes, compare with your supplier's bill, and appeal denials by the date shown (120 days on the sample). Source: Medicare.gov, checked 13 October 2026.

Sources: Medicare.gov Medicare Summary Notice and sample DME MSN, checked 13 October 2026.

What’s on each page (DME MSN)

PageWhat it showsWhat to check
1. DashboardYour details, deductible status, suppliers, approved and denied claims, total you may be billedName and last 4 digits of your Medicare number; supplier list
2. TipsHow to review the notice, report fraud and get helpFraud reporting if items you didn’t get appear
3. ClaimsAssigned or unassigned claim, item descriptions, Approved column, Max You May Be Billed, notesEach CPAP or oxygen item and date
4. Denied claimsHow to appeal; 120-day window on the sampleThe appeal deadline

Checks for CPAP and oxygen users

  • Rental months: each month’s rental should appear once. For oxygen, Medicare pays only one supplier per rental month (switching oxygen suppliers).
  • Supplies: compare items and quantities against what arrived (CPAP supplies schedule).
  • Unassigned claims: if a supplier doesn’t accept assignment, you may owe more (DME assignment explained).
  • Other insurance: Medicare.gov suggests checking whether your other coverage, such as Medigap, pays what Medicare didn’t (Medigap and DME).

If something is wrong

Call the supplier first; it may resubmit. If you still disagree, appeal the decision.

Verdict

Keep your supplier’s bills and match them to every MSN. It’s the quickest way to catch billing errors, duplicate rentals and denied resupply orders.

Related: Medicare CPAP coverage, Medicare oxygen coverage, DME assignment explained.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Medicare Summary Notice a bill?
No. Medicare.gov says it's a notice showing what was billed to Medicare, what Medicare paid and the maximum you may owe.
How often do I get an MSN?
Every 6 months if you got services or supplies in that period, or monthly by email for any month with a processed claim if you choose electronic MSNs.
Is there a separate MSN for DME?
Yes. Medicare publishes a sample DME MSN covering all the DME items and supplies billed to Medicare, such as CPAP and oxygen.
What does Maximum You May Be Billed mean?
On the DME MSN, it's the total amount the supplier is able to bill you for the claim.
What if an item is denied?
Call the supplier to check it submitted the right information; it may resubmit. You can also appeal; the MSN's last page explains how, and the sample says you have 120 days.

Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) for CPAP and oxygen

What a Medicare Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage (ABN) means when a CPAP, oxygen or DME supplier gives you one: the 3 options, appeal rights, unassigned suppliers and when no ABN is needed. From Medicare.gov and CMS.

Medicare DME appeal: CPAP and oxygen step by step

How to appeal a denied Medicare claim for CPAP, oxygen or other durable medical equipment in Original Medicare: the 5 levels, deadlines, 2026 dollar thresholds, what to include and how long each step takes. From Medicare.gov.

Medicare Savings Programs and DME costs (2026)

How Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI) affect what you pay for CPAP, oxygen and other DME in 2026: income and resource limits, QMB billing protection and what to show your supplier. From Medicare.gov.

Medigap and DME: CPAP and oxygen costs (2026)

How Medigap Plans A to N handle Part B costs for CPAP, oxygen and other DME in 2026: 20% coinsurance, the $283 Part B deductible, excess charges, Plan K and L limits, and why supplier assignment matters. From Medicare.gov.