Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
What is the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program?
The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program helps Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse. SMPs empower individuals to protect themselves from fraud, detect potential issues, and report suspected wrongdoing.
Key Activities:
- Promote awareness: SMPs educate the public about common fraud schemes and how to protect themselves.
- Provide support: They offer guidance and assistance in resolving billing disputes and reporting suspected fraud.
- Detect and report: SMPs help beneficiaries identify and report instances of fraud, errors, and abuse.
Common Schemes:
- Catheter Scam
- Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
- Genetic Testing
- Home Health Care Fraud
- Home Health Fraud
- Hospice Fraud
- Hospital Tip Sheets
- Medicare Card Scams
- Opioid Scams
Review Your Medicare Statements:
If you have original Medicare, you receive a Medicare Summary Notice (MSN). If you have a Medicare Advantage plan or a Part D prescription drug plan, you receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB). Whether you receive these in the mail or can view them online, read the information and the services listed in the notice carefully. If you detect fraud, errors, and abuse, call the Illinois SMP at AgeOptions (800) 699-9043 (ask for SMP). If you live outside of Illinois, find your state’s SMP at www.smpresource.org.
East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging, Inc. is available to provide a presentation to your community group or organization by contacting:
Kathryn Johnson, Community Liaison
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(309) 829-2065 ext. 1223
ECIAAA serves the following counties:
Champaign, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Ford, Iroquois, Livingston, Macon, McLean, Moultrie, Piatt, Shelby and Vermilion.