SMP - Empowering Seniors to Prevent Healthcare Fraud
Who pays? You pay!
Together we can fix it!
Since 1995, the Administration on Aging has provided grants to community-based agencies in nearly every state to train volunteers how to educate Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and their families how to protect their Medicare number as they would their credit card, how to take a more active role in protecting their health care programs, and how to detect and report potential instances of error, fraud, and abuse. Since 1997, the SMP program:
- recovered $4.5 million in Medicare funds
- reported over $3.1 million in savings to beneficiaries
Don't understand fraud and abuse?
Here are a few examples:
- Billing for services or supplies not provided.
- Altering a claim to get a higher payment.
- Promises of "free" services, then ask for your Medicare number and bill Medicare.
- Offers to waive Medicare deductibles or coinsurance.
- The use of another persons Medicare or Medicaid card to obtain Medical care.
What can you do?
Read your Medical Summary Notice, so you know what Medicare paid for on your behalf.
If you have questions, call your health care provider or insurance company; ask them to clarify any unusual Medicare charges.
Volunteer to help educate others.
At any point, you can call Iowa SMP to assist you.
For concerns or questions, call:
Don't understand fraud and abuse?
Here are a few examples:
-
Billing for services or supplies not provided.
-
Altering a claim to get a higher payment.
-
Promises of "free" services, then ask for your Medicare number and bill Medicare.
-
Offers to waive Medicare deductibles or coinsurance.
-
The use of another persons Medicare or Medicaid card to obtain Medical care.
What can you do?
Read your Medical Summary Notice, so you know what Medicare paid for on your behalf.
If you have questions, call your health care provider or insurance company; ask them to clarify any unusual Medicare charges.
Volunteer to help educate others.
At any point, you can call Iowa SMP to assist you.
For concerns or questions, call:
 |
1-800-262-0378 |
|
