Aging and In-Home Services SMP
The SMP Program also known as Senior Medicare Patrol helps Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries avoid, detect, and prevent healthcare fraud. SMP staff conducts outreach to Medicare beneficiaries through group presentations and exhibits at community events. The primary goal is to teach Medicare beneficiaries how to protect their personal identity, identify and report errors on their health care bills and identify deceptive health care practices.
What are Examples of Fraud and Waste Seen by SMPs?
Equipment or insurance plan providers tricking senior center participants into giving up their personal information (including Medicare numbers) on “sign-in” sheets. Medicare Summary Notices showing billing for services or supplies that were never provided. Equipment suppliers providing expensive “scooter” wheelchairs not ordered by a physician or needed by the beneficiary. Luring beneficiaries into providing their Medicare number for “free” services, then billing Medicare. Kickbacks—paying beneficiaries to receive service from a particular provider or company.
Where Can I Learn More?
Go to www.smpresource.org for detailed information about fraud and abuse as well as the SMP program.
Prevention Tips
To help prevent Medicare from losing valuable funds, and to prevent inappropriate care, it is important to report all suspected instances of error, fraud and abuse and instruct all Medicare beneficiaries on the following do’s and don’ts.
DO:
- Use your Personal Health Care Journal to keep a record of the dates of Medicare services received
- Review your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN)
- Make sure you received the service or the product
- Make sure the doctor ordered this service, product or test
- Make sure the charge or service related to your condition or treatment
DON’T:
- Give out your Medicare number except to your doctor or other Medicare provider
- Accept “free” medical or other services in exchange for your Medicare or Social Security number
- Give your Medicare number to telephone callers or door‐to‐door solicitors (Medicare does not call or go door‐to‐door)
For Assistance, Call Your Local SMP Program
For more information or to locate your SMP, For more information or to locate your SMP, www.smpresource.org
