EXECUTIVE OFFICE ON AGING, SENIOR MEDICARE PATROL HAWAIʻI SPREAD AWARENESS FOR MEDICARE FRAUD PREVENTION WEEK

HONOLULU — Rampant fraud and abuse threaten the integrity of the Medicare system on which millions of Americans rely. More than $60 billion is lost each year to fraud, errors and abuse, though the exact figure is difficult to determine.

The Hawai’i Department of Health Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program empowers individuals to serve as the first line of defense through education, community involvement and personal vigilance.

Medicare Fraud Prevention Week is observed June 1-7, and the public is encouraged to learn how to protect themselves and their loved ones. Together, we can help safeguard Medicare for current and future generations.

To mark the week, SMP Hawaiʻi is offering a free Zoom webinar on Saturday, June 7, from 10-11 a.m. The session will cover what Medicare fraud is, the latest scams to watch for, and how to get involved as a volunteer.

The webinar is open to the public and is a great opportunity to stay informed and make a difference in your community. Click here to register today.

“Medicare fraud and abuse can block people’s access to potentially lifesaving services and benefits,” said SMP Hawai’i Director Norma Kop. “We teach kūpuna how to prevent, detect and report Medicare fraud and scams. Our statewide volunteer team helps individuals who suspect that their Medicare number has been lost or stolen and may have been used to file false claims.”

Visit www.smphawaii.org for a daily dose of fraud types involving Medicare, as well as important tips on safely using your computer or smart devices to avoid falling victim to scams.

Request a free copy of Computer Basics, Issues 1-4, to help you learn basic technology terms, how to safely use the internet, how to create your own MySSA and MyChart accounts, and many prevention tips to avoid scams. For your free copy, call SMP Hawaiʻi at 1-800-296-9422, or Email: [email protected] or visit: www.smphawaii.org.

“Hawai’i continues to lead the nation in average life expectancy and fraudsters are increasing their efforts to target kūpuna, including the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence),” Kop said. “Being vigilant through education is the best place to start and protect ourselves and our loved ones.”

How SMP Hawaiʻi can help prevent Medicare fraud and abuse:

1. Education and Awareness

• Provides free, one-on-one assistance to Medicare beneficiaries
• Teaches how to spot common scams, billing errors and deceptive practices
• Offers workshops and materials to increase fraud awareness

2. Outreach and Counseling

• Connects with seniors, families and caregivers in the community
• Offers personalized counseling to help navigate Medicare
• Guides individuals on how to act if fraud is suspected

3. Fraud Reporting Support

• Assists in gathering evidence and filing reports
• Ensures reports are sent to the appropriate state or federal authorities
• Helps beneficiaries understand the fraud resolution process

4. Community Collaboration

• Partners with local organizations, healthcare providers and law enforcement
• Promotes a community-based approach to fraud prevention
• Builds a network of informed citizens ready to act

5. Safeguarding the Future

• By reducing fraud, SMP helps preserve the financial integrity of the Medicare program
• Ensures that future generations have access to reliable, fraud-free healthcare

Everyone plays a part in the fight against fraud:

Medicare beneficiaries can monitor their insurance statements to make sure products and services received match what they are being billed before they pay.

• Review your Medicare statements. Look for services you did not receive or charges you do not recognize.
• Protect your Medicare number – never share it with strangers or unverified contacts.
• Avoid unsolicited phone calls, emails, or postal mail asking for your Medicare number or personal information.
• Report suspected fraud.
  • Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)

Caregivers should take notice of items such as knee braces or other durable medical equipment that was sent to the beneficiary without their doctor’s prescription. Remind them to never give out their Medicare number or personal information.

Families can talk to loved ones about protecting their Medicare number just as they would a credit card number. They can help to create a Medicare.gov account to access Medicare statements online to see what services were billed using their number. They should register their phone number on the “do not call” directory and stop mailings through optoutprescreen.com.

Partners and professionals can share prevention tips with clients and request a free presentation from SMP Hawai’i to hear about the latest scams and to learn more.

Healthcare providers can talk to patients about common healthcare-related scams such as durable medical equipment and genetic testing schemes. Remind clients that products and services should only be ordered by their physician, and never order through unsolicited calls.

Community members can help by looking out for older neighbors and friends. When in the community, take special notice if older individuals are purchasing many gift cards in large denominations. Encourage others to talk to a trusted source to get Medicare answers and to spread the word about scams. Lastly, volunteer today with SMP Hawai’i.

Contact SMP Hawaiʻi to help you and your loved ones prevent, detect and report Medicare fraud and scams. Free counseling, group presentations and more are available to increase your awareness to click smart and stay safe online.

For more information, visit https://www.smphawaii.org/
Call toll free: 1-800-296-9422
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: smphawaii808

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