Senior Medical Patrol Projects Receive $9.4 Million From Administration On Aging
The Administration on Aging (AoA) has awarded $9.4 million to 64 Senior Medicare Patrol projects. These projects will train retired professionals to help older Americans become better health care consumers by identifying unintended Medicare and Medicaid billing errors as well as potentially fraudulent activity. AoA provides these grants to states, territories, local and community-based non-profit organizations.
“Senior Medicare Patrol projects play a vital role in educating consumers about ways they can help ensure the integrity of Medicare and Medicaid programs,” said Assistant Secretary for Aging Josefina G. Carbonell. “We are pleased that they will also provide valuable outreach and education on the new prescription drug benefits of the MMA.”
The Senior Medicare Patrol projects teach volunteer retired professionals, such as doctors, nurses, accountant, investigators, law enforcement personnel, attorneys and teachers, to help Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, their families and caregivers to be better health care consumers.
Since 1997, these projects and other AoA grants have educated or counseled more than two million beneficiaries. Over 47,085 complaints were reported by beneficiaries of which, 4, 365 were referred for action and investigated.
The documentation of these complaints by SMPs have resulted in savings of $104.2 million for the Medicare and Medicaid Program. The 38 new Senior Medicare Patrol Projects awards are as follows:
* Alaska DHSS/Division of Senior & Disabilities Services
* Arkansas Department of Human Services
* Arizona Department of Economic Security
* Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc.
* Colorado Division of Insurance
* Friendship House Association, Inc., Washington, DC
* Legal Counsel for the Elderly, Washington, DC
* Delaware Department of Health and Social Services
* Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc., Florida
* Atlanta Regional Commission, Georgia
* Georgia Department of Human Resources
* Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services
* Idaho Commission on Aging
* Kansas Department on Aging
* Kentucky Association of Senior Service Corps
* Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley Inc., Massachusetts
* Maine Department of Health & Human Services
* Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan
* Monroe County Opportunity Program Inc., Michigan
* Missoula Area Agency on Aging, Montana
* DH/Perfil Latino TV, Inc., New Jersey
* Jewish Family & Vocational Services Middlesex County, New Jersey
* New Mexico Aging & Long Term Services Department
* Pro Seniors, Incorporated, Ohio
* State of Oklahoma Insurance Department
* Seniors and People with Disabilities, Oregon
* Multnomah County, Oregon
* Governor’s Office for the Elderly, Puerto Rico
* Upper Cumberland Development District -Tennessee
* Better Business Bureau Education Foundation, Texas
* National Hispanic Council on Aging, Texas
* The Latino Education Project, Inc., Texas
* Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging
* Boat People S.O.S. Inc., Virginia
* US Virgin Islands Department of Human Services
* Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner
* Multi-Service Center, Washington State
* AARP, West Virginia
Twenty-six SMP continuation grants have been awarded to:
* Aging 2000, Inc., Rhode Island
* California Health Advocates
* Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly, Pennsylvania
* Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups, Wisconsin
* Community of Vermont Elders
* Connecticut Department of Social Services
* District III Area Agency on Aging, Missouri
* East River Legal Services Corporation, South Dakota
* Executive Office on Aging, HawaiI
* Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Wisconsin
* Indianapolis Association of Area Agencies on Aging Education, Indiana
* Iowa Department of Elder Affairs
* Legal Assistance of North Dakota, Inc.
* Maryland Department of Aging
* Minnesota Board on Aging
* Mississippi Department of Human Resources
* Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services
* New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services
* Nevada Office of the Attorney General
* New York State Office for the Aging
* North Carolina Department of Insurance
* South Carolina Lieutenant Governor’s Office on Aging
* Suburban Area Agency on Aging, Illinois
* Utah Legal Services, Inc.
* Vernon Parish Council on Aging, Inc., Louisiana
* Wyoming Department of Health