50+ Lifestyles

Senior Medicare

By Peggy Dykes
Community Relations Director
Milestone’ Area Agency on Aging

As part of Milestones Area Agency on Aging’s suite of program offerings, Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) gets right to the point of empowering seniors to protect their identity, detect healthcare scams and report them. Two Milestones staff members coordinate this program in a 21-county area with 29 volunteers informing the community about Iowa fraud activities and sharing ways to stop the scammers in their tracks.

According to Iowa SMP State Coordinator Deb Yankey, scam callers offering free home medical alert systems have been at work for at least two years now. The Federal Trade Commission has been on the heels of the biggest operations and have begun to the shut them down.  However, when scammers see their schemes getting the attention of law enforcement, they easily create a new scam.  Many seniors in our area have reported that they are receiving calls in which they are told their doctor has ordered or approved a free home medical alert system for them, and they can receive up to $3,000 for accepting the device! The offer of a cash prize is the newest twist to hook victims in giving the swindlers their Medicare/Social Security numbers or credit card information.

The only way to protect yourself is to be as alert as possible when answering your phone when a stranger is on the other end of the line. The old phrase, “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is,” still makes sense. When you don’t know who’s calling, it’s shrewd to be rude and just hang up.

Be part of the solution. Learn more about protecting your identity and preventing Medicare fraud and abuse. Schedule a presentation for your organization or small group. Or, go one step further and considering becoming a SMP volunteer. Training is provided, and there are various ways to volunteer with flexible schedules. Phone 1-55-410-6222, in the Davenport/Burlington area ask for Sonita or in the Ottumwa area, ask for Lisa. Volunteers are needed in all counties.