Senior Medicare Patrol volunteers chase down fraud schemes

Volunteers with New Jersey’s Senior Medicare Patrol might not be trained fraud investigators, but they’re savvy enough to see a scheme when they see one, according to NJ.com.

Federally-funded Senior Medicare Patrols returned $2.5 million to Medicare in 2015, a 282 percent increase from 2014, according to a report released by the Office of Inspector General earlier this month. In New Jersey, volunteers with the state’s SMP used tips from Medicare beneficiaries to uncover a $1 million genetic testing scheme, which was referred to the OIG for prosecution.

Over the past year, the state has seen an increasing number of schemes involving genetic testing, medical alert systems, and fraudulent phone calls telling beneficiaries they need to pay $299-$399 for a new Medicare card, Charles Clarkson, project director for New Jersey’s SMP tells NJ.com. The caller asks for the beneficiary's checking account number, and then raids the account.

Last year, senior communities in Dallas were targeted by scammers that offered free pedicures in exchange for Medicare ID numbers. In the past, volunteers with Florida’s SMP have found themselves on the front line of fraud detection and prevention.

To learn more:
- read the NJ.com article