Senior Medicare Patrol
The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program empowers and assists Medicare beneficiaries, their families and caregivers to prevent, detect and report healthcare fraud, errors and abuse through outreach, counseling and education. Staff and volunteers provide information on how to protect Medicare beneficiary personal information, detect errors as well as potential fraud and abuse, and how to report errors and suspicious activity.
The Nevada SMP is funded and supported by the U.S. Administration for Community Living and works closely with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Access to Healthcare Network administers the SMP for Northern Nevada.
Target Population
Medicare beneficiaries
Family members
Caregivers
Community providers and partners
Services
Staff and volunteers assist Medicare beneficiaries, family members, caregivers and providers by conducting group educational presentations and providing information at senior fairs and community events. SMP utilizes staff, volunteers and partners to provide counseling via a forty (40) hour per week toll-free help line and face-to-face counseling sessions. In 2013, there were 86 SMP volunteers throughout the state.
The Roles of SMP
Disseminate SMP fraud prevention and identification information through media, outreach campaigns, community events, etc.
Assist beneficiaries in resolving issues and complaints regarding Medicare, Medicaid, and other related healthcare issues.
Refer suspected cases of fraud, waste, and abuse to appropriate investigative entities (i.e. Medicare contractors, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Attorney General, Office of the Inspector General, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.