The Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut (AASCC) will be hosting a free Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Training at its offices, located at One Long Wharf Drive, Suite 1L, New Haven, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 10. Lunch will be served to participants, and registration is required by Thursday, July 5, as space is limited.

The Administration on Aging (AoA) has funded SMP projects since 1997 to recruit and train retired professionals and other older adults about how to recognize and report instances or patterns of health care fraud. They are also made aware of how threats to financial independence and health status may occur when citizens are victimized by fraudulent schemes.

The SMP program empowers older adults through increased awareness and understanding of healthcare programs. This knowledge helps older adults protect themselves from the economic and health-related consequences of Medicare and Medicaid fraud, error, and abuse. SMP projects also work to resolve beneficiary complaints of potential fraud in partnership with state and national fraud control/consumer protection entities, including Medicare contractors, state Medicaid fraud control units, state attorneys general, the OIG and CMS.

The training will be conducted by Attorney Pamela Meliso, Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc.; and will provide volunteers with the necessary skills and resources to assist older adults and individuals with disabilities identify and resolve potential fraud and abuse of the Medicare system. The training is open to anyone who is interested in working with older adults and individuals with disabilities.

For additional information and to register for the training, please contact Aging and Disability Resource Center Coordinator Leslie Pruitt no later than Thursday, July 5, at (203) 785-8533 or [email protected].

via FREE TRAINING TO BECOME A SENIOR MEDICARE PATROL (SMP) VOLUNTEER – GNH Community.