Volunteers Needed to Fight Fraud

The Missouri SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol) program in partnership with the Mid-East Area Agency on Aging (MEAAA) is recruiting volunteers to take part in the fight against fraud, waste and abuse in Medicare. It is estimated that the Medicare program loses $50 billion each year as a result of fraud, errors, and abuse. For Medicare beneficiaries, it results in reduced quality of care and less money for needed benefits. For taxpayers, it results in wasted tax dollars.

SMP volunteers play an important role in fulfilling the SMP mission “Empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report healthcare fraud, errors and abuse through outreach, counseling, and education.” SMP volunteers say this work is rewarding because they help protect seniors from falling prey to scam artists, assist them in understanding how to read their Medicare Summary Notice, and how to report any questionable activity.

SMP volunteers receive two days of training to prepare them for their work. “We want every volunteer to succeed, so the SMP program provides outstanding training programs, tools, and coaching to support them,” said Rona McNally, Missouri SMP Project Director. If you are interested in volunteering, call the Missouri SMP at 1-888-515-6565 to learn how you can help fight Medicare fraud.

The next training program for new volunteers in Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles and St. Louis Counties will take place on:

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 & 6, 2013

Time:  9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (both days)
Place: Mid-East Area Agency on Aging
            14535 Manchester Rd.
            St. Louis, MO 63011

Register to volunteer by calling: 1-888-515-6565 (toll-free)
DEADLINE TO REGISTER:      OCTOBER 15, 2013