Senior Medicare Error Patrol Project
By: Source: AARP Foundation Date Posted: 2007-06-28
The Senior Medicare Error Patrol Project (SMEPP) of the District of Columbia is a District-wide, multi-lingual consumer education and outreach project. SMEPP recruits and trains older persons and retired professionals to educate Medicare beneficiaries, their families and caregivers, on how to identify and report questionable Medicare and Medicaid charges.
These volunteers then reach out to their own communities by conducting:
- Presentations about Medicare and Medicaid fraud at senior centers, churches, nutrition sites, fraternal organizations, civic associations, caregiving support groups and social services agencies
- Medicare Fraud Bingo game events with Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries
- Clinics where volunteers meet with beneficiaries to review questionable charges and to complete a complaint referral form, if appropriate
The SMEPP also leads an interagency workgroup to increase coordination and information sharing about anti-Medicare fraud efforts among government agencies, provider groups, the aging network, and law enforcement agencies. Finally, SMEPP operates a multi-lingual hotline where D.C. residents can report suspected Medicare and Medicaid fraud. The hotline screens these matters and refers suspected fraud cases to the U.S. Government for investigation and prosecution. The SMEPP hotline can be reached by calling (202)434-2099.
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