How Long To Keep Medicare Statements After Death?

Losing a loved one is a difficult experience, and the last thing you want to worry about is paperwork. However, it’s important to know how long to keep certain documents, including Medicare statements. Medicare is a government-funded health insurance program for those over 65 years old or with certain disabilities. After a loved one passes away, it’s crucial to understand how long to keep their Medicare statements to avoid any potential legal or financial issues.

Medicare statements contain important information about medical expenses and services provided. It’s recommended to keep them for at least five years after the date of service or until the statute of limitations for any potential legal action has passed. By understanding how long to keep these statements, you can ensure that you’re taking the necessary steps to protect your loved one’s estate and avoid any unnecessary complications.

How Long to Keep Medicare Statements After Death?

If you have recently lost a loved one who was enrolled in Medicare, you may be wondering how long you need to keep their Medicare statements and other related documents. The answer to this question can vary depending on a few different factors. In this article, we will explore the guidelines for keeping Medicare statements after death and provide some tips for organizing and managing these important documents.

Understanding Medicare Statements

Medicare statements are documents that outline the services and treatments that were provided to a Medicare beneficiary. These statements provide a detailed breakdown of the costs associated with each service, including any copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance amounts that the beneficiary is responsible for paying. Medicare statements are typically sent out every three months and can be accessed online through the MyMedicare.gov portal.

When a Medicare beneficiary passes away, their statements will continue to be sent out until the Social Security Administration (SSA) is notified of their death. Once the SSA receives notification of the death, they will update their records and stop sending out Medicare statements.

How Long to Keep Medicare Statements

As a general rule, it is recommended that you keep Medicare statements for at least one year after the date of service. This will ensure that you have all of the necessary information if you need to file a claim or dispute a charge. However, if you are the executor of the deceased’s estate, you may need to keep these documents for a longer period of time.

If there are any outstanding claims or disputes at the time of the beneficiary’s death, you should keep all related documents until the issue is resolved. This may require keeping Medicare statements for several years after the date of service.

Organizing Medicare Statements

Keeping track of Medicare statements and other related documents can be challenging, especially during a time of grief. Here are some tips for organizing and managing these important documents:

• Create a dedicated folder or binder for Medicare statements and related documents


• Label the folder or binder with the beneficiary’s name and the date range of the documents


• Sort the documents by date and type of service


• Make copies of important documents, such as the beneficiary’s Medicare card and any power of attorney documents

By keeping your Medicare statements and related documents organized, you can ensure that you have all of the information you need at your fingertips.

Benefits of Keeping Medicare Statements

Keeping Medicare statements and related documents can have several benefits, including:

• Ensuring that you have all of the necessary information for filing claims and disputing charges


• Providing a record of the beneficiary’s medical history and treatments


• Protecting against identity theft by securely storing sensitive information

While it can be tempting to discard these documents after a loved one passes away, it is important to remember that they can be valuable sources of information and protection.

Medicare Statements vs. Explanation of Benefits

It is important to note that Medicare statements are different from Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements, which are sent out by private insurance companies. EOB statements provide information about the services and treatments that were covered by the insurance plan and the costs associated with each service. These statements should be kept for at least one year after the date of service and may be required for filing claims or disputes.

If the deceased had private insurance in addition to Medicare, you should keep both Medicare statements and EOB statements for the appropriate period of time.

Final Thoughts

Keeping track of Medicare statements and related documents can be a daunting task, especially during a time of grief. However, by following the guidelines outlined in this article and organizing your documents in a dedicated folder or binder, you can ensure that you have all of the necessary information at your fingertips. Remember, keeping these documents can provide valuable protection and peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long should I keep my loved one’s Medicare statements after their death?

After the death of a loved one, it is important to keep their Medicare statements for a certain period of time. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recommends keeping these statements for at least five years. This is because Medicare may conduct audits or investigations related to your loved one’s healthcare claims during this time.

It is also important to keep in mind that if your loved one had supplemental insurance that paid for any Medicare-covered services, you should keep those statements as well. These statements may be needed to show proof of payment or to assist with any billing disputes that may arise.

2. What information is included in Medicare statements?

Medicare statements, also known as Medicare Summary Notices, provide a summary of the healthcare services your loved one received. This includes information such as the date of service, the name of the healthcare provider or facility, the amount billed, and the amount paid by Medicare.

The statement also includes any out-of-pocket costs your loved one may have incurred, such as deductibles or co-payments. This information can be helpful for tracking healthcare expenses and understanding your loved one’s healthcare coverage.

3. Can I access my loved one’s Medicare statements online?

Yes, you can access your loved one’s Medicare statements online through the MyMedicare.gov website. To do so, you will need to create an account and provide some identifying information about your loved one, such as their Medicare number and date of birth.

Once you have access to the account, you can view and download your loved one’s Medicare statements. This can be a convenient way to keep track of their healthcare expenses and ensure that all claims are accurate.

4. What should I do with my loved one’s Medicare statements once I no longer need them?

Once you no longer need to keep your loved one’s Medicare statements, you should dispose of them securely to protect their personal information. The best way to do this is to shred the statements or use a secure document destruction service.

It is important to avoid simply throwing the statements in the trash, as this could put your loved one’s personal information at risk. By securely disposing of the statements, you can protect their privacy and prevent identity theft.

5. What other documents should I keep after my loved one’s death?

In addition to Medicare statements, there are several other documents that you should keep after the death of a loved one. This includes their will, any life insurance policies, and any financial account statements.

You should also keep any documents related to their funeral arrangements and any property or assets they owned. By keeping these documents organized and easily accessible, you can ensure that you have all the information you need to settle their estate and carry out their final wishes.

In conclusion, understanding how long to keep Medicare statements after the death of a loved one is crucial. It is recommended to keep the statements for at least five years, just in case any issues arise. However, it is important to note that once the estate has been settled and all claims have been paid, the statements can be safely disposed of.

It is also important to keep in mind that Medicare statements contain sensitive information and should be stored securely. It is recommended to keep them in a locked filing cabinet or safe deposit box to prevent any unauthorized access.

While it may be difficult to think about these matters during a time of grief, taking the time to properly handle Medicare statements can prevent any potential issues and provide peace of mind.