Who pays? You pay!
Together we can fix it!

What's the problem?
Federal audits reveal Medicare and Medicaid will lose $1 out of every $10 through simple mistakes, abuse and, sometimes fraud. Last year, that added up to $11.9 Billion.

Iowa is fortunate; most health care providers are honest and provide quality care under a complex system. However, mistakes do happen, if they go uncorrected, it costs Medicare and Medicaid money.

What are we doing to stop this?
The 1995 White House Conference on Aging created Operation Restore Trust, a long-term Medicare/Medicaid effort to reduce inappropriate payments. Today, the Administration on Aging provides grants to community-based agencies in nearly every state to train volunteers how to educate Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and their families how to protect their Medicare number as they would their credit card, how to take a more active role in protecting their health care programs, and how to detect and report potential instances of error, fraud, and abuse.

Iowa SMP has over 678 retired volunteers across the state who provide community education presentations or individual counseling for Medicare beneficiaries in cooperation with the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)

Iowa is credited with recovering $1,145,767 to Medicare and $58,691 in other health care dollars, such as Medicaid, private insurance or beneficiary out of the pocket expenses. For more information, visit their website.

AoA's Senior Medicare Patrol webpage provides valuable information on the effort and links to other programs across the country.

Don't understand fraud and abuse?
Here are a few examples:

• Billing for services or supplies not provided.

• Altering a claim to get a higher payment.

• Promises of "free" services, then ask for
  your Medicare number and bill Medicare.

• Offers to waive Medicare deductibles
  or coinsurance.

• The use of another persons Medicare or
  Medicaid card to obtain Medical care.

What can you do?
Read your Medical Summary Notice, so you know what Medicare paid for on your behalf.

If you have questions, call your health care provider or insurance company; ask them to clarify any unusual Medicare charges.

Volunteer to help educate others.

At any point, you can call Iowa SMP to assist you.

For concerns or questions, call:

1-800-423-2449