SMP Fraud Fact July 2021
The Missouri SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol) wants to make sure that you are taking full advantageof the preventive benefits provided to you by Medicare. Medicare covers at least two dozen preventive benefit services. They range from screenings forheart disease, cancer and diabetes, to shots for the flu and pneumonia. Early detection and prevention mayhelp you…
SMP Fraud Prevention Fact June 2021
Telehealth: A good Opportunity for Patients and Scammers This month’s Missouri SMP Fraud Fact deals with the expansion of telehealth services, which has opened yet another door for potential fraud. Certainly, telehealth is a legitimate service provided by a growing number of physicians. Medicare covers telehealth services, including office visits, psychotherapy, consultations, and certain other…
SMP Fraud Prevention Fact May 2021
The Missouri SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol) is warning older adults to “Guard your Card” –that is, your Covid-19 Vaccine ID card. When you get your first COVID-19 vaccination, you should get a card stating the date of theshot and manufacturer of vaccination. If you did not get the card, contact the provider site where yougot…
SMP Fraud Prevention Fact April 2021
This month’s Missouri SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol) Fraud Fact deals with a national COVID-19 vaccine email scam. There is a suspicious email going around that asks people to complete a survey and to receive a free reward in exchange for a nominal fee “to cover shipping.” This is a scam to try to steal your…
SMP COVID Vaccine Fraud
The Missouri SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol) wants older adults and their caregivers to be on the lookout for potential COVID-19 vaccine fraud and scams. Here are some tips to protect yourself from potential vaccine fraud:•You likely will not need to pay anything out of pocket to get the vaccine during this public health emergency.•You cannot…
SMP- Fraud Fact
As the COVID-19 pandemic grows, so do the scams associated with it. Because older people are at greater risk for serious illness from COVID-19, the Missouri SMP warns that they also are prime targets of potential fraud. As of the beginning of December, there was no FDA-approved vaccine for COVID-19. The first vaccine is expected…
SMP- Open Enrollment
It is that time of year again – open enrollment for Medicare prescription drug coverage and Medicare Advantage plans. Open enrollment annually occurs from October 15 to December 7. If you are on Medicare, you have an opportunity to change your Part D Prescription Drug Plan and/or Advantage plan during this time. In order to…
SMP- Look Out for Fraud
The Missouri SMP wants you to be on the lookout for fraud related to COVID-19 contact tracing. Contact tracing helps to slow the spread of COVID-19 and helps protect you, your family, and your community by letting people know they may have been exposed to COVID-19. It helps people get testing if they need it…
SMP- Beware of Cold Calls
Beware of the cold sales call – on the phone or on your doorstep. The Missouri Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) wants to remind you that Medicare will not call you out of the blue asking for your Social Security, Medicare or banking information. Medicare has strict rules regulating companies who sell Medicare Advantage plans –…
SMP- New Medicare Card Number
Happy New Year! The Missouri SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol) wants to remind you that the alpha-numeric number on the new Medicare card is required for providers to process claims beginning January 1. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you should present that card to the provider.