It’s National Report Health Care Fraud Week!
Did you know the 2nd week in August is National Report Health Care Fraud Week? It was founded by Whistleblower Advocate and Former Department of Justice Attorney, Joel D. Hesch with the purpose of...
View ArticleFTC Warns Hurricane Victims to Beware of Flood Insurance Robocall Scams
The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers about a flood insurance scam targeting those that have been affected by Hurricane Harvey. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),...
View ArticleProtect Your Medicare by Protecting Your Medicare Number
Are you a bargain hunter? Always looking for the best deal or ready for the next best thing? If someone offered you a state-of-the-art arthritis kit and said Medicare would cover it, would you be...
View ArticleDo’s & Don’ts to Avoid Fraud
While our Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) focuses on Medicare fraud and ways to protect yourself, detect and report health care fraud, there are also many other types of scams out there. One of our...
View ArticleMedicare’s Open Enrollment Period Begins on Oct 15!
Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period offers an important opportunity each year to review and make changes to your coverage. It runs from October 15 – December 7 and any plan or coverage changes you make,...
View ArticleFTC Alerts Consumers: If Scammers Had You Pay Them Via Western Union, You Can...
On November 13, 2017, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent a press release alerting consumers who lost money to scammers who told them to pay via Western Union’s money transfer system between...
View ArticleSMP Helps Beneficiary Clear Her Medicare Record of False Claims
Our California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) staff and volunteers continually work with beneficiaries across the state on cases of suspected fraud. In some situations, beneficiaries experience medical...
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GAO Report Reveals Little Accountability for Regular “Critical Incidents” in...
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released a report revealing that thousands of “Critical Incidents” in assisted living facilities occur regularly with little accountability. Because...
View ArticleAs Valentine’s Day Nears, Watch Out for Romance Scams
With Valentine’s Day upon us, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) reminds elders to be aware of romance scams and to “guard your wallet as well as your heart.” Below is an article from the...
View ArticleSpeaking Out Against Senior Scams at Senate Aging Committee
One of our partners, Adrienne Omansky, Founder and Director of Stop Senior Scams Acting Program (SSSAP) testified in front of the Senate Aging Committee about senior scams and how their acting troupe...
View ArticleWhat Are the Top 10 Senior Scams in the U.S.?
Did you know that IRS scams ranked #1 among all the senior scams reported to the Senate Aging Committee’s Fraud Hotline last year? And robocalls or unwanted calls ranked second, despite the use of the...
View ArticleDHCS Allows Brokers to Market Cal MediConnect Plans
Despite opposition from California Health Advocates and other advocates statewide, California’s Department of Heath Care Services (DHCS) recently approved a new pilot that will allow brokers to market...
View ArticleChanges in Medicare Summary Notices Will Help Prevent Improper Billing
Providers, suppliers and pharmacies serving Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program are not allowed to bill these beneficiaries for Medicare Part A...
View ArticleLearn Tips to Prevent Medicare Open Enrollment Scams
Medicare’s annual open enrollment is from Oct 15 – Dec 7. It’s an important time of year to review the changes in your current coverage for the new year and look at your other coverage options. Sifting...
View ArticleMedicare’s Open Enrollment is Here ~ Review Your Medicare Options for 2019!
Medicare’s Fall Open Enrollment is here! Officially known as the Annual Election Period which runs from October 15 through December 7, this is main time when you can change your coverage. All changes...
View ArticleJoin Us at Online Care Fair, 11/15 from 2-5 p.m. ~ Free Resources for Caregivers
Do you know of any caregivers looking for helpful advice, resources and real support? If so, spread the word and join us for AARP’s free live Online Care Fair on Thursday, November 15, 2018, 2-5 p.m....
View ArticleWatch Out for “Spoofed” Social Security Phone Scams
Have you received any calls that appear to be from Social Security where the caller asks for your Social Security number in order to “increase your benefits”? Or threatens that your benefits will be...
View ArticleProtect Yourself from Marketing Misconduct ~ Know What Plans & Agents Cannot Do
As we’re now over three weeks into Medicare’s open enrollment, it’s important to review your coverage options, AND to be aware of marketing and enrollment scams! Here’s a new novella that shares what...
View ArticleMedicare’s Open Enrollment Ends Friday, Dec 7 ~ Now’s the Time to Make Your...
Have you made your health care coverage choices for 2019? If so, great! If not, now is the time, as Medicare’s open enrollment ends this Friday, December 7. Each year this open enrollment period, also...
View ArticleService Coordinators’ Suspicions of Healthcare Fraud Lead to SMP Cases
Wondering what some of the recent fraud trends are? One of our best gauges on what’s “hot” in fraud is by what our partners, volunteers, staff, service coordinators, providers, and community members at...
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