SMP Enables Seniors to Fight Fraud

Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) uses volunteers to educate Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries about health care fraud, waste and error.

Due to the unscrupulous methods of some individuals and businesses, Medicare and Medicaid lose billions of dollars in valuable resources that should have benefited enrollees.

The SMP program enables seniors to step up and make an impact in the fight against fraud. The dedicated corps of SMP volunteers makes a difference. SMP programs seek volunteers whose skills, abilities, and personal goals are compatible with the goals and mission of the program.

One of the main goals of the SMP program is to develop a corps of senior volunteers and professionals who can help their peers become better health care consumers.

Most SMP programs also provide opportunities for civic-minded individuals, not yet eligible for Medicare, who have the time and interest to assist the program.

Since 1997, SMP has recovered $4.5 million in Medicare funds and reported more than $3.1 million in savings to beneficiaries. Savings are attributable to the prevention of errors, fraud and abuse by the more than 1.9 million seniors who have participated in group sessions or received one-on-one counseling from their local SMP volunteers.

Volunteers are a valuable resource to the SMP program, Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens (AASC), its staff and its clients.

AASC offers the services of an ombudsman to coordinate SMP volunteers. Inquiries about volunteering may be directed to Linda Shortt at 276-964-7127.

AASC is one of Virginia’s 25 Area Agencies on Aging designated by the Virginia Department for the Aging to carry out the department’s mission to foster the dignity, independence and security of older Virginians by promoting partnerships with communities at the local level. AASC offers information and services for older adults residing in Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, and Tazewell counties. Visit the organization’s website at www.aasc.org or call toll-free at 1-800-656-2272.