Why Medicare Bills Still Show Up

Medigap helps with many Medicare out-of-pocket costs, but it does not make every approved service or every healthcare expense automatically cost $0.
A common early-year bill is the 2026 Part B deductible: $283. Plan G beneficiaries generally pay it before Medicare and Medigap share covered costs.
Your Medigap letter matters: Plans K and L can cover only part of cost sharing, while Plan N may add office and ER copays.
Many surprise bills come from services Medicare generally excludes, including routine dental, vision, hearing aids, long-term custodial care, or prescriptions handled separately through Part D.
Before paying, compare the provider bill, Medicare Summary Notice, and Medigap benefits statement to confirm deductibles, claim approval, supplement processing, or possible errors.