Medicare Fraud Prevention Week is June 5 through June 11

Posted on May 31, 2023 in Featured, Main

Everyone Can Prevent Medicare Fraud 

More than 10,000 Americans turn 65 every day. In 2021, an estimated $17 million reportedly were lost to online Medicare scams in Hawai‘i. Medicare loses an estimated $70 billion each year due to false claims. Every day, scams and fraud affect older adults, families, and caregivers across the state and nation, often costing them time, money, and well-being. 

“Medicare fraud is devastating, but Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Hawai‘i, as part of a national network helps to preserve the Medicare program for years to come,” said Norma Kop, SMP Hawai‘i Director. “We teach people how to prevent fraud from happening by learning how to detect and report medical billing errors.”

SMP, which is part of the State Department of Health, teaches individuals how to protect their identities, assets, and legacy. Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, to be observed June 5-11, 2023, allows SMP and its partners to share education and activities from Waipio to Hawai‘i Kai, as well as on the neighbor islands to educate and bring awareness within the community. 

SMP Hawai‘i can help individuals with questions, concerns or complaints about suspicious activities, and its trained volunteer counselors can also assist with non-health related fraud through referrals to the appropriate agencies or resources. 

 Find out when SMP Hawai‘i will be during the month of June and ask for a free copy of “Hawai‘i’s Fraud Prevention and Resource Guide, 3rd edition. Visit www.smphawaii.org to learn more.