Medicare claim forms ask patients if they have private health insurance.

Fewer than 5% of Medicare claims are audited.

A study of 220,000 Medicare claims has found that heart attack victims had a higher survival rate when treated by cardiologists rather than general practitioners.

In many cases doctors will provide patients a copy of the completed Medicare claim.

For example, a Medicare claim for $600 was submitted on behalf a woman who had received only routine care, according to the complaint.

How do I submit a Medicare claim (bill)?

Insurance lobbyists helped write the legislation that limits the liability of their employees, who review and pay Medicare claims filed by doctors and hospitals.

Medicare claims are now reviewed and paid by 72 contractors using at least 10 computer systems, with many local variations and adaptations.

When a Medicare claim is denied, Chimes volunteers may also file for a hearing to appeal the decision.

Regularly, they said, their Medicare claims are being rejected or returned because they were submitted on the wrong form.