If a patient has both Medicare and a Medigap plan, what action does Medicare automatically take concerning claims?

When a patient has both Medicare and a Medigap plan, Medicare automatically plays a crucial role in the claims process. Medicare is considered the primary payer, meaning that it will first process the claim submitted for medical services or treatment. Once Medicare has evaluated the claim and determined the eligible benefits, it will then automatically forward the remaining balance — that is, any costs that aren't covered by Medicare — to the Medigap plan.

This automated process allows for seamless handling of claims and ensures that patients can easily receive the benefits that their supplemental coverage offers. Since Medigap is designed to cover costs not fully paid by Medicare, such as deductibles and coinsurance, the automatic transmission of the claim supports timely payment and reduces the burden on the patient to manage these payments themselves.

Thus, the correct answer reflects this efficient process whereby Medicare acts as the primary payer and automatically sends the claims to Medigap for any secondary payment, ensuring that beneficiaries can leverage the full benefits of both Medicare and their Medigap plans.