HONOLULU — Medicare loses an estimated $60 billion per year to false claims. Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Hawai‘i is addressing this issue by hosting Medicare Fraud Prevention Week from June 3-9.
SMP Hawai‘i, a program of the Executive Office on Aging (EOA), will offer a free webinar via Zoom on Saturday, June 8, from 10-11 a.m. The public is invited to attend the webinar, which will focus on Medicare fraud, the latest scams, and how to volunteer for SMP Hawai‘i.
“Medicare fraud has a devastating impact on older adults as well as the Medicare program,” said SMP Hawai‘i Director Norma Kop. “We teach kūpuna how to prevent, detect, and report Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse. Our counselors help individuals who suspect that their Medicare number has been lost or stolen and used to file false claims.”
The organization encourages individuals to request a free “My Health Care Tracker” booklet from SMP to track health services before paying. The booklet can help users log doctor visits, lab tests, X-rays, hospital stays, prescription drugs, supplies, and other health services. This allows them to cross-check with billing statements for accuracy.
“During this special week, we’re excited to inform our community on how to detect Medicare fraud as well as the other services we offer,” Kop said. “It takes our entire state to protect kūpuna. Being proactive and volunteering with SMP builds a stronger safety net of support for our loved ones and kūpuna who are most vulnerable and need to protect their identity, assets, and legacy.”
To register for the June 8 webinar or submit a request through www.smphawaii.org., call 1-800-296-9422 or email [email protected].
Everyone plays a part in the fight against fraud:
Medicare beneficiaries can monitor their insurance statements to ensure products and services received match what they are being billed before they pay.
Caregivers should take notice of items such as knee braces or other durable medical equipment sent without a doctor's prescription. Remind loved ones never to give out their Medicare number or personal information.
Families can talk about protecting their Medicare number just as they would a credit card number. They can help create a Medicare.gov account for online access or review mailed statements. Registering phone numbers on the “do not call” directory and stopping mailings through optoutprescreen.com are also recommended.
Partners and professionals can share prevention tips with clients and request presentations from SMP Hawai‘i about the latest scams.
Health care providers should discuss common health care-related scams such as durable medical equipment (DME) and genetic testing schemes with patients. Remind clients that products should only be ordered by their physician.
Community members can assist by looking out for older neighbors and friends purchasing many gift cards in large denominations. Encourage discussions with trusted sources about Medicare answers and spread awareness about scams.
SMP Hawai‘i aims to provide information that helps protect against fraud while educating beneficiaries in combating health care fraud.
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