The Southwest Mississippi Planning and Development District (SWMPDD), through funding from the Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department for Health and Human Services and the Mississippi Department of Human Services, provides a service called Senior Medicare Patrol.

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is a program that helps Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries prevent, detect and report health care fraud. Not only do SMPs protect older persons, they also help preserve the integrity of the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Protecting your personal information is the best line of defense in the fight against healthcare fraud and abuse. Everyday, many consumers become victims of scam artists.  As a result, Medicare and Medicaid lose billions of dollars each year. Always remember to treat your Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security numbers as you would a credit card number. Never give these numbers to strangers. Also, remember that Medicare doesn’t call or visit to sell you anything.

Even when you do everything right, there is a chance that you could be a target of healthcare fraud. An important step that you can take to detect potential errors, fraud and abuse is to always review your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) and Part D Explanation of Benefits (EOB) for mistakes. Be sure that your billing statements don’t charge you for services not ordered by your doctor or that you weren’t billed for the same service more than once.

If you suspect errors, fraud or abuse, report it immediately. You will protect other people from becoming victims and help to save your Medicare benefits. If you have questions about information on your Medicare summary notice or your Part D explanation of benefits, call your provider or plan.

According to the SMP resource library, approximately 250,000 Medicare beneficiaries are listed as having had their medical identity compromised through stolen or misused Medicare numbers. Three words to remember when thinking about Medicare fraud prevention and awareness… protect, detect and report. Don’t be a victim of healthcare fraud. Be empowered.

In an effort to help empower our community, we are, in partnership with the Natchez TRIAD, sponsoring a “Community Fraud Prevention, Health and Resource Event.” The event will help to raise awareness about fraud prevention, and it will provide the community with information from a wide array of vendors for their various needs. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the Natchez Convention Center. Examples of some of the vendors who will be in attendance include the Social Security Administration, the Mississippi Department of Human Services Division of Aging and Adult Services, Jefferson Comprehensive Health Center, Natchez Transit, the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau of Mississippi just to name a few.

Each vendor will set up display tables with information regarding the services they offer and will be given the opportunity to speak to attendees in detail about their agency.

This event is open to the public and will allow residents to speak one on one with various organizations and gather information about the many services available within our community. Door prizes will be given away throughout the event and lunch will be served. We look forward to having you join us.

 

Yolanda Campbell is the aging division director for the Southwest Mississippi Planning and Development District.