Arkansas Senior Medicare Patrol works to help seniors prevent health care fraud
When the phone rings, seniors cannot be sure who is really on the other end of the line. If the caller claims to be from a government entity, offers free medical supplies and requests personal information such as Medicare or bank-account numbers, the call is likely fraudulent. Protecting seniors from such scams is the mission of the Arkansas SMP, which stands for Senior Medicare Patrol. “Health care fraud is the No. 1 crime of the 21st century, and senior citizens are the No. 1 target for fraud and scams,” said Kathleen Pursell, Arkansas SMP program director. “The fact that they are all on Medicare makes them easy targets and easy to locate. With a provider number and Medicare number, criminals can bill Medicare for services and products that were never provided.” The Arkansas SMP, a sponsor of this year’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Senior Expo, works to empower Medicare beneficiaries, as well as their families and caregivers, to prevent, detect and report health care fraud, errors and abuse. In addition to distributing information about the latest scams, the Arkansas SMP provides speakers to teach seniors about health care fraud. Seniors can guard their Medicare cards by never giving personal information to anyone who calls them, she said, adding that government entities such as Medicare and Social Security neither call seniors nor ask them for personal information by phone. Families and caregivers should check Medicare Summary Notices for accuracy and report any discrepancies to the Arkansas SMP, she added. To learn more, to schedule a speaker or to find help with a Medicare problem, call the Arkansas SMP’s tollfree help line at 866-726-2916. The Arkansas SMP also seeks volunteers to host exhibit booths, distribute materials and spread the organization’s message. “Together, we can help stop Medicare fraud,” Pursell added.