 Protecting Seniors from Medicare & Medicaid Waste,
Fraud and Abuse
To Report Medicare or Medicaid Waste,
Fraud and Abuse, or to Become a SMP Volunteer,
call 1-732-777-1940, ext. 1117
Be Informed
Billions of tax-payer dollars are lost each year to Medicare and Medicaid
waste, fraud and abuse. These health insurance programs provide
security for you and your family. We need your help to ensure
that these vital programs will continue to have the money
to provide good, quality healthcare for you and future generations.
Although the vast majority of healthcare providers are honest, the
activities of the remaining few result in wasted funds for
the Medicare and Medicaid programs and a loss of quality of
care for you.
Be Aware
You might have found an instance of Medicare or Medicaid waste,
fraud or abuse if...
- You are billed for a service that you have not received.
- You are asked to provide your Medicare or Medicaid number
when a service or supply is advertised as "free".
- You continue to receive medical supplies when they are
no longer necessary.
- You do not receive necessary medical supplies or treatments
ordered (i.e. your prescription is for sixty pills
but your vial only contains forty).
You can protect yourself and help preserve the Medicare and Medicaid
programs for future generations if you...
- Never give your Medicare or Medicaid number to strangers.
- Never
give your Medicare or Medicaid number to anyone offering
a "free" service.
- Never accept medical supplies or equipment from a door-to-door
salesperson.
- Always review your medical billing statements (most healthcare
fraud involves billing for services not provided).
- Always review your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) for errors.
- Always call your provider if you need clarification of questionable
charges.
- Always keep a record of your healthcare appointments and
services received.
- Always report suspicious activities to 1-732-777-1940, ext. 1117, or 1-877-678-4697 (all reports are confidential).
Be Involved
Volunteers are critical to the success of this effort. Since 1993, billions
of dollars in healthcare savings have been realized due to government
and volunteer efforts to stop waste, fraud and abuse of the
Medicare and Medicaid programs.
You can help make a difference in your community by joining the
SMP volunteer program. Our
volunteer activities include ...
- Helping beneficiaries review their Medicare Summary Notices
(MSNs).
- Giving educational presentations.
- Distributing information at health fairs and community events.
All SMP of New Jersey volunteers receive training and ongoing support. To
join our growing team of dedicated SMP volunteers
call 1-732-777-1940, ext. 1117. SMP volunteer benefits persons of all ages because it...
- Educates beneficiaries and their caregivers making them informed
healthcare consumers.
- Trains retired professionals to be volunteer advocates.
- Teaches beneficiaries how to identify and report billing errors
and instances of potential fraud and abuse.
- Realizes significant savings due to the efforts of our wonderful
volunteers.
- Prevents waste, fraud and abuse that drain billions of dollars
each year from the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
- Ensures quality and quantity of healthcare services that beneficiaries
receive.
- Preserves Medicare and Medicaid programs for future generations.
Be Linked
For more information on preventing Medicare and Medicaid waste,
fraud and abuse, visit these websites:
SMP of New Jersey has been created by a federal grant awarded by the
U.S. Administration on Aging to Jewish Family & Vocational
Service of Middlesex County (JFVS). SMP of New Jersey is a partnership
involving JFVS, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior
Services (DHSS) and the New Jersey State Office of the American
Association of Retired Persons (AARP).
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