Senior Medicare Patrols

Scammers Bank on You Not Reading Your Medicare Statements

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Senior Medicare Patrols, Medicare (United States), Record, SMP, SMPS, Fraud, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Health insurance

Whether you have Original Medicare, which provides Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs), or Medicare Advantage, which provides Explanations of Benefits (EOBs), you should always look at your statements carefully.

Key Points: 
  • Whether you have Original Medicare, which provides Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs), or Medicare Advantage, which provides Explanations of Benefits (EOBs), you should always look at your statements carefully.
  • They summarize Medicare claims, just like credit card or bank statements, and reviewing them could help detect errors or possible fraud.
  • In the past, scammers would send products people didn't want and the charges would show up on Medicare statements.
  • Scammers are hoping people aren't reading their statements so scammers can continue to make big money.

Scam Alert: Scammers are billing for unneeded urinary catheters

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
SMPS, Senior Medicare Patrols, Cardiac catheterization, Caregiver, Fraud, Medicare, SMP, Risk, Health insurance

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Medicare beneficiaries across the country are finding charges worth thousands of dollars on their Medicare statements related to urinary catheters that were not needed or received.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Medicare beneficiaries across the country are finding charges worth thousands of dollars on their Medicare statements related to urinary catheters that were not needed or received.
  • "Scammers are taking advantage of the Medicare program and billing for unnecessary products, which is hurting the program.
  • This is also putting Medicare beneficiaries' Medicare card numbers at risk and compromising their medical identities," said Nicole Liebau, director of the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Resource Center.
  • To learn how to read Medicare statements or get help with a compromised Medicare number, contact your local SMP.

Scammers Target Older Adults During Medicare Open Enrollment Season

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Social, Ráfales, Month, Senior Medicare Patrols, Social Security, Fraud, Medicare, Open enrollment, Caregiver, Health, Medicare fraud, HHS, SMP, Government agency, Health insurance

CINCINNATI, Nov. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ohio-based Pro Seniors, a non-profit organization dedicated to advice, representation and justice for seniors in Ohio, recently announced its Medicare Fraud of the Month for November, Medicare Open Enrollment Scams.

Key Points: 
  • CINCINNATI, Nov. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ohio-based Pro Seniors, a non-profit organization dedicated to advice, representation and justice for seniors in Ohio, recently announced its Medicare Fraud of the Month for November, Medicare Open Enrollment Scams.
  • Open Enrollment can quickly become 'Open Season' for scammers," announced Cathy Rafales, Project Manager for the Ohio Senior Medicare Patrol.
  • Medicare Open Enrollment is an annual period during which Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their health and prescription drug plans.
  • Rafales advises seniors to beware of the following typical Medicare Enrollment Scams:
    Watch out for callers or other people who:
    Claim they work with Medicare, are an "official Medicare agent," or "represent Medicare.

Marketing Can Mislead Older Adults During Medicare Open Enrollment

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Ship, Attention, Social media, Thought, Medicare, SMPS, Abuse, Organization, OEP, Senior Medicare Patrols, Multimedia, Social, Medigap, Caregiver, Prescription, Medicaid, Part, Social Security, SHIP, SMP, Health insurance

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- During Medicare's Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which takes place October 15 through December 7 each year, Medicare beneficiaries can choose Medicare plans that are best for them. Beneficiaries enrolled in Original Medicare can compare and change prescription drug plans (Part D) and Medigap plans.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Oct. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- During Medicare's Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which takes place October 15 through December 7 each year, Medicare beneficiaries can choose Medicare plans that are best for them.
  • Beneficiaries enrolled in Original Medicare can compare and change prescription drug plans (Part D) and Medigap plans.
  • The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) wants everyone on Medicare to know that during OEP, plans and third-party marketing organizations are marketing their products through television ads, social media ads, radio ads, and mailings.
  • "To get your attention, ads may mislead you into thinking one plan is better for you than another.

Medicare Open Enrollment Begins October 15 Through December 7: Beware of Scams During This Time Period

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Pressure, Health, Multimedia, Senior Medicare Patrols, New Year, Caregiver, Executive Schedule, Social Security, Counselor, State, Month, Medicare, Statewide Suicide Prevention Council, Medicare fraud, Social Security number, Part, SMP, Social, Health insurance, Online shopping

"Watch out for scams during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period as you look for your best health coverage options, don't forget to keep an eye open for fraudsters!

Key Points: 
  • "Watch out for scams during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period as you look for your best health coverage options, don't forget to keep an eye open for fraudsters!
  • Open Enrollment can quickly become an "Open Season" for scammers," announced Maria Alvarez, Executive Director of StateWide.
  • Medicare Open Enrollment is an annual period during which Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their health and prescription drug plans.
  • Alvarez advises seniors to beware of the following typical Medicare Enrollment Scams:
    Watch out for people who: Claim they work with Medicare, are an "official Medicare agent" or "represent Medicare".

Social Engineering: The New York StateWide Senior Action Council's "Medicare Fraud of the Month" for September

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 28, 2023
EOB, State, MSN, Executive Schedule, Internet, SMP, Senior Medicare Patrols, Social engineering, Statewide Suicide Prevention Council, Multimedia, Month, Person, Chatbot, Robocall, Artificial intelligence, Unsolicited goods, PHI, AI, Social, Medicare fraud, NYS, Deception, Caregiver, PII, Pharmaceutical industry, Health insurance, Cryptocurrency, Online shopping, Nursing, Medicare

Scammers are using Social Engineering tactics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Chatbots, and Robocalls to commit Medicare Fraud.

Key Points: 
  • Scammers are using Social Engineering tactics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Chatbots, and Robocalls to commit Medicare Fraud.
  • The StateWide Fraud of the Month is a component of the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), the definitive resource for New York State's senior citizens and caregivers to detect, prevent, and report healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse.
  • Then they must quickly leave the conversation before suspicion sets in," said Maria Alvarez, StateWide's Executive Director in announcing this month's Medicare Fraud.
  • View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/social-engineering-the-new-york...
    SOURCE New York StateWide Senior Action Council, Inc.

INDIANA SENIOR MEDICARE PATROL'S NANCY MOORE RECEIVES NATIONAL 2023 BARBARA MCGINTY SMP LEADERSHIP AWARD

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Medicaid, Disability, SMP, Senior Medicare Patrols, Organization, IN, Abuse, Work, Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act, Fraud, ACL, Caregiver, Hoosier, Film industry, Pharmaceutical industry, Medicare, Ageing

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Indiana Association of Area Agencies on Aging (IAAAA) announced today that the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) - organizations federally funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL) to educate Medicare beneficiaries on how to prevent, detect and report Medicare and Medicaid fraud, errors and abuse – has named its Indiana Senior Medicare Patrol (IN SMP) program director, Nancy Moore, this year's recipient of the distinguished Barbara McGinty SMP Leadership Award.

Key Points: 
  • INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Indiana Association of Area Agencies on Aging (IAAAA) announced today that the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) - organizations federally funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL) to educate Medicare beneficiaries on how to prevent, detect and report Medicare and Medicaid fraud, errors and abuse – has named its Indiana Senior Medicare Patrol (IN SMP) program director, Nancy Moore, this year's recipient of the distinguished Barbara McGinty SMP Leadership Award.
  • "Nancy also provides advance alerts to Medicare on emerging fraud trends she is seeing at the individual beneficiary level, allowing Medicare to take action against fraud perpetrators."
  • Her award nomination commended Moore for providing constructive comments during SMP networking calls and noted her consistent willingness to collaborate and share ideas with other SMP programs across the country.
  • Moore said it is an honor to be selected for this national award – especially because of her personal history with the award's namesake.

Unsolicited Diabetes Supplies: The New York StateWide Senior Action Council's "Medicare Fraud of the Month" for July

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 20, 2023
State, Insulin, Medicare (United States), Diabetes, DME, Executive Schedule, Policy, SMP, Senior Medicare Patrols, Medicare Part D, Statewide Suicide Prevention Council, Multimedia, Month, Catheter, IRA, Wheelchair, Medicare, Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Medicare fraud, NYS, Counselor, ADA, American Diabetes Association, Caregiver, Pharmaceutical industry, Health insurance, Life insurance, Online shopping, Information technology

The StateWide Fraud of the Month is a component of the Senior Medicare Patrol, the definitive resource for New York State's senior citizens and caregivers to detect, prevent, and report healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse.

Key Points: 
  • The StateWide Fraud of the Month is a component of the Senior Medicare Patrol, the definitive resource for New York State's senior citizens and caregivers to detect, prevent, and report healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse.
  • "Senior Medicare Patrols across the country report diabetic supply charges found on Medicare statements when the beneficiary doesn't have diabetes," announced Maria Alvarez, Executive Director of the New York StateWide Senior Action Council.
  • The NYS Senior Medicare Patrol has a hotline for people who believe they have been a victim of any Medicare fraud.
  • View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/unsolicited-diabetes-supplies-t...
    SOURCE New York StateWide Senior Action Council, Inc.

Ohio Senior Medicare Patrol and Area Agencies on Aging Announce Partnership to Help Protect Older Adults from Medical Identity Theft

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Partnership, Coronavirus, Communication, Cancer, COVID, Medicare, Social Security, Brace, Social, Fraud, Senior Medicare Patrols, DSM-IV codes, Safety, Health insurance, Pharmaceutical industry, Ageing

CINCINNATI, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Ohio Senior Medicare Patrol, part of the non-profit Pro Seniors organization, today announced its partnership with multiple Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) across Ohio to drive awareness of medical identity theft and stop scammers in their tracks.

Key Points: 
  • The Ohio Senior Medicare Patrol, part of the non-profit Pro Seniors organization, today announced its partnership with multiple Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) across Ohio to drive awareness of medical identity theft and stop scammers in their tracks.
  • CINCINNATI, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Ohio Senior Medicare Patrol, part of the non-profit Pro Seniors organization, today announced its partnership with multiple Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) across Ohio to drive awareness of medical identity theft and stop scammers in their tracks.
  • "Medical identity theft is a billion dollar industry, and scammers are good at their jobs," said Lisa Dalga, Project Manager for the Ohio Senior Medicare Patrol.
  • Call the Ohio Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-488-6070 and they can help you identify suspected fraud on your account, as well as help you request a new Medicare number.

June 5-11 is Medicare Fraud Prevention Week

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Fraud, SMP, Senior Medicare Patrols, Administration for Community Living, Medicare, Administration, Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act, Outline of counseling, ACL, Medicare fraud, Pharmaceutical industry, Health insurance

WASHINGTON, May 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Medicare Fraud Prevention Week kicks off on June 5 and ends on June 11.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, May 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Medicare Fraud Prevention Week kicks off on June 5 and ends on June 11.
  • Fraud can happen to anyone, so it's important that people are aware of the types of Medicare scams that are occurring.
  • Local team members teach people how to prevent Medicare fraud and assist beneficiaries with billing errors and disputes.
  • For more information on how to prevent Medicare fraud and to find a local SMP office, visit SMPresource.org .