Our program brochure gives basic information about healthcare fraud and the SMP program.
We also have SMP brochures available in non-English languages
The following are scams or issues that have been trending on the SMP fraud hotline. (Flyers and tipsheets)
Catheter Scams – Read more about them here.
COVID-19 Scams
New Medicare Card Scams
Genetic Testing Scam – Genetic Testing is Never Free Tip Sheet
Opioid Crisis Tip Sheet- Combat Opioid Misuse and Abuse
Reading your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or Explanation of Benefits is a great way to detect potential fraud or errors. This updated handout summarizes what to look for when reviewing your MSN and includes examples of the newly redesigned MSN available in 2013:
Handout
PowerPoint
The following tip sheet explains in Spanish why the MSN is important and how to get your MSN in Spanish by calling 1-800-MEDICARE
Illinois SMP Fraud BINGO/Loteria Game
(To play the SMP BINGO or Loteria game, print a copy of these questions and read them and the corresponding answers aloud. Have participants find the answers on their BINGO/Loteria card – see links above for cards.)
The SMP program produces healthcare tracking journals that you can use to take notes on their doctor appointments, hospital visits, prescription drugs, etc. Compare your notes to the claims listed on your Medicare Summary Notice or Explanation of Benefits!
The Illinois SMP program has produced tip sheets and PowerPoint presentations with information on health care and fraud, and steps that Medicare beneficiaries can take to Protect themselves from, Detect, and Report healthcare fraud:
Illinois SMP Presentations
General Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Tips/Information Tip Sheets
Tip sheets explaining the basics of Medicare’s home health benefit and tips to avoid fraud.
Additional Tip Sheets
Home Health Explanation and Infograph
Information on what home health services Medicare covers, who qualifies for those services, and fraud schemes related to home health.
Additional Tip Sheets
This presentation includes information on Medicare coverage of durable medical equipment and Medicare’s rules for durable medical equipment suppliers, as well as information on fraud schemes involving durable medical equipment in Illinois.
Tip Sheets
Ask the Right Questions Form: This form has questions to ask an insurance agent when considering a private insurance plan like Part D or Medicare Advantage.
Information on Medicare’s rules regarding Part D and Medicare Advantage plan marketing.
Presentation on when Medicare covers skilled nursing facility services, Medicare beneficiaries’ rights in a skilled nursing facility, and fraud issues in skilled nursing care.
Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) received a grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL) to develop health care fraud prevention tools and resources for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bixsexual, and transgender) older adults and the professionals working LGBT individuals. For more information and resources, visit http://www.lgbtagingcenter.org.
Here are the SAGE SMP tip sheets for Medicare beneficiaries with Illinois SMP contact information
In partnership with AgeOptions and the Illinois SMP program, the Illinois Attorney General’s Office Silver Beat program provides outreach and education to seniors on a variety of fraud issues. Here are a few of their helpful tip sheets on consumer fraud issues:
The Illinois SMP Program created the following advertisements to get the word out about fraud and volunteering with SMP. (Please contact the SMP Program at (800)699-9043 if you would like to use these ads in your publication. We have higher quality files that we can share.)
This project was supported, in part by grant number 90MPPG0036, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.