R.I. receives $229K to prevent Medicare and Medicaid fraud

U.S. SEN. Jack F. Reed said the funding will help Medicare recipients protect themselves from being victimized. / PBN FILE PHOTO
U.S. SEN. Jack F. Reed said the funding will help Medicare recipients protect themselves from being victimized. / PBN FILE PHOTO

PROVIDENCE – Approximately $229,000 in federal Department of Health and Human Services funding has been awarded for the Senior Medicare Patrol project at the R.I. Division of Elderly Affairs to prevent Medicare and Medicaid fraud.

The funding, announced this week by Rhode Island’s congressional delegation, will enable the state department to train SMP project volunteers so that they can educate Medicare and Medicaid recipients on how to detect fraud associated with the programs, as well as how to protect themselves.

Medicare and Medicaid fraud schemes are often disguised as “free” services for seniors, but come at a steep cost for taxpayers, according to a news release. The National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association estimated these losses cost approximately $60 billion annually.

According to HHS, national health care fraud recovery efforts, such as the one in Rhode Island, led to the recovery of more than $2.3 billion in fiscal 2014.

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Over the past three years in Rhode Island, Senior Medicare Patrol has conducted more than 8,200 one-on-one counseling sessions for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and caregivers, and trained more than 7,700 people in group settings. Rhode Island SMP has also helped initiate investigations of 29 complex fraud issues.

“Medicare fraud is not a victimless crime because it costs U.S. taxpayers billions each year. This is a smart investment in helping Medicare recipients protect themselves from being victimized and empowering them to detect and report suspected fraud,” U.S. Sen. Jack F. Reed said in a statement.

Reed said that Rhode Islanders wishing to report suspected Medicare fraud can call the R.I. Senior Medicare Patrol program at (401) 462-0931.

“The support from our congressional delegation in pursuit of this funding allows the Division of Elderly Affairs to continue providing Senior Medicare Patrol services … We are pleased to continue efforts to reach, educate and assist greater numbers of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries in every Rhode Island community,” said Charles Fogarty, director of the Rhode Island Division of Elderly Affairs.

SMP volunteers are comprised of seniors and health and public-safety professionals, such as doctors, nurses, law enforcement and attorneys. Volunteers are trained on strategies to protect recipients’ identities, help recipients understand their Medicare summary notices, and avoid scams.

The state department has operated the SMP project in Rhode Island since 2006.

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