Presenter: Kelly McElheny, Community of Vermont Elders - C.O.V.E./SMP Southern VT Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator [email protected] - vermontelders.org/wordpress/smp SMP (formerly “Senior Medicare Patrol”) is a program that exists in all 50 states and is funded by the US Administration on Aging to empower seniors to protect themselves against Medicare errors, fraud or abuse. Since 2003, C.O.V.E. has been the sponsoring agency, administering the federal grant. Anita Hoy is the Director who also covers the territory north of Rte. 4 / White River Junction, while Kelly McElheny covers the southern part of the state. This material is also relevant to those persons under the age of 65 who are disabled, on Medicare and who may be “dual eligibles.” The brochure “Don’t Be a Target of Healthcare Fraud” gets the message across -- if you suspect errors, fraud or abuse, report it! By doing so, you will save your benefits and help protect others. Even if you receive a benign phone call, SMP wants to know what is going on. SMP can make a direct referral to the Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) of the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, if the matter falls within that program’s scope. Find other Referral Contacts here. Some scams, such as completed wire transfers, cannot be reversed. However, CAP does work with Western Union to stop fraudulent wire transfers before they occur. Investigations can also link in the Office of the Inspector General and through them, the FBI. An investigation resulting in a federal prosecution involved the Scooter Store, effectively shutting down the business which was responsible for some $50 million in Medicare fraud. The scooters were advertised as free to beneficiaries, billed to Medicare, leaving seniors to pay the 20% under Part B, thereby owing as much as $10,000. Taking the scooter outside, where it would be most needed, voided the warranty.[1] The industry response has been to now rent scooters instead. C.O.V.E., the sponsoring agency for SMP, has a number of legislative agenda items including: LIHEAP - low income heating assistance Transportation - advocating for funding Elderly & Disabled transportation services ($600,000 was allocated statewide in 2013) Kinship caregiving - enabling grandparents to have more rights/of a say in raising grandkids Information about joining C.O.V.E. can be found here. Tips on protecting yourself from Medicare fraud include: Protecting your Medicare number like your Social Security number Using the prescription drug drop off sites for unwanted medications. Staying on top of unwanted meds prevents them from being abused by family members and/or caregivers. see: “Drug Diversion in Vermont: When Healing Hands Harm
Posted on: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 18:20:19 +0000
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