Senior Medicare Patrol

Our Purpose

In 2010, we partnered with the Utah Department of Aging Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program in Salt Lake City. Our purpose is to focus on prevention, with a mission of empowering Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud and identity theft, errors, and abuse through outreach and education. We are uniquely positioned to give and be the contact source of educating and training on Medicare scams, fraud and discuss/answer the 10-Most Common Medicare Questions an individual/client may have.

The SMP is a national program for people with Medicare of all ages. SMP is administered by the Administration for Community Living. To learn more, volunteer or to locate your local Senior Medicare Patrol please call 1-877-808-2468 or visit https://www.smpresource.org.

Do you think you are a victim of Medicare fraud or abuse?

If you need help contacting your local SMP, fill out the form here: https://smpresource.news/Contact

With the Northern Utah Coalition, Inc. (NUC) and the Utah Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) collaboration for over 14 years, we offer a one hour or less FREE Protecting Medicare and You from Identity Theft and discuss Medicare's 10-Most Common Questions presentation to your business or organization. For more information or to schedule a presentation, call Monday-Thursday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm at (801) 393.4153.

Many people have to wait for Fall Open Enrollment to change their coverage, but there are options for earlier changes in 2025 based on certain circumstances. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can switch plans or return to Original Medicare during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31, with changes effective the following month. You may also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if you have Medicaid, a Medicare Savings Program, or Extra Help, allowing monthly changes to a stand-alone Part D plan or certain Special Needs Plans. Moving outside your plan’s service area may qualify you for an SEP. Learn more at www.shiphelp.org

#medicareenrollment #Medicarechanges #MedicareHelp

If you have Part D, there’s a good chance that there are significant changes for 2025, because changes to the law that sets up the rules for the Part D benefit made coverage more generous. Medicare is taking steps to stabilize Part D premiums during this transition by limiting the increase in the base premium. In 2025, the national average premium for the Part D basic benefit is around $37 per month. Read more about the $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket drugs and the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan here: shiphelp.org/2025-changes

#medicarepartd #MedicareQuestions #MedicareHelp

Are you new to Medicare or facing some challenges? We’re here to help! In this video, you'll learn how your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can support you. Our trained counselors offer free and private help for questions about costs, coverage, finding doctors, and fixing billing issues. Medicare can be confusing, but you don't have to navigate it alone!

Full video: youtu.be/2nDOXhvHy2c

Your Medicare coverage and costs can change each year, so it’s important to understand and review your benefits. Here’s an overview of what’s new in 2025. shiphelp.org/2025-changes

#medicarechanges #medicarecosts #medicarehelp

The SHIP program locator is an easy-to-use tool that helps you find local SHIP programs in your area. Whether you have questions about Medicare, Medicare cost assistance programs, or how other health coverage works with Medicare, you can connect with trained counselors who offer free and unbiased support. With SHIP’s assistance, you can make informed choices about your health insurance and ensure you get the care you need. Visit shiphelp.org/locations/

Medicare Open Enrollment, #MedicareOE, closed December 7. 2024 for 2025. However, you may still have questions, contact your local #SHIP through the SHIP National Technical Assistance Center National Technical Assistance Center for free, unbiased assistance in comparing plans.

SHIPs are available to you in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, DC, and the US Virgin Islands. Depending on your area, they may be known by a different name. Visit the SHIP website www.shiphelp.org to find one near you or call 877-839-2675.

Links to Medicare Resources

From Your SHIP

Find your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

From Medicare

Other Medicare Help

Reference: www.smpresource.org

If you or someone you know are a qualified spouse, widow(er), or child of a Veteran disabled due to a service-connected disability, you may be eligible for CHAMPVA from VeteransHealth. CHAMPVA acts as a secondary payer to Medicare. Learn more: https://go.medicare.gov/4cedPn5.

Question... Did you know you can sign up for Medicare's newsletter?

Sign up for emails from #Medicare to get updates and important reminders sent right to your inbox. Visit www.Medicare.gov and scroll down to “Get important new & updates” to sign up.

Did you accidentally throw away your MSN? That's okay. You can still review your claims online at Medicare.gov! If you have any questions about how to review your Medicare statements, contact the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP).

The cost of your medications may change throughout the year, depending on which coverage phase you’re in. You’ll learn about it in this blog—from the deductible phase to the donut hole, as well as some new changes to look out for this year!

Read the blog post: www.shiphelp.org/about-medicare/blog/part-d-coverage-phases

#partD #MedicareHelp #MedicareCoverage

FYI... www.SMPResource.org

If you have Original Medicare, your health care costs depend, in part, on the type of provider you see. There are three types of providers, and each has a different relationship with Medicare. To pay the least for your care, see a participating provider when possible.

If you have Original Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.Medicare.gov for help finding participating providers near you. For questions about your Medicare, call a SHIP near you (1-877-839-2675) or visit www.shiphelp.org.

If you’re eligible for Medicare because you turned 65, you may be wondering when to sign up. If you’re over 65 & have employer coverage, in most cases, you don't need to do anything until you (or your spouse) retire or you lose employer coverage. https://go.medicare.gov/47XSfRC

Turning 65 Soon? Congratulations!!!

Medicare: Where Do You Start?

WELCOME TO MEDICARE ARCHIVED TRAINING

Reference https://www.shiphelp.org/about-medicare/news or https://www.smpresource.org/

Watch short recordings on what you need to know when you are new to Medicare. In June 2021, expert trainers from the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) national network present on Medicare eligibility, enrollment, costs, and coverage options. National experts from Social Security, Medicare, the Senior Medicare Patrol, and the National Council on Aging also presented on the federal government's role in Medicare, avoiding Medicare fraud, and Medicare cost assistance programs. Information from this event that is still relevant has been retained on our YouTube channel. Questions? Contact us at info@shiphelp.org.

ENROLLING IN MEDICARE THROUGH SOCIAL SECURITY

This fact sheet helps you understand how to enroll in Medicare through the Social Security Administration and how your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can help.

Social Security Online Access

Did you know you can manage your Social Security online by creating a my Social Security account?

Reference: www.smpresource.org

My Social Security is a secure account that puts you in control with access to your information from any device. Encourage a family member to create their personal my Social Security account today: http://ow.ly/AQVz50L1iTX.

SMP Consumer Fraud Alert

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Top scams of 2024

By BCP Staff

March 10, 2025

Did you or someone you know report a scam to the FTC in 2024? Thank you! Those reports help the FTC bring enforcement cases and educate people about scams. Let’s jump into the top 2024 scams.

The headline is this: even though the number of fraud reports is roughly the same as last year, more people lost a lot more money to fraud. One in three people who reported fraud said they lost money (up from one in four last year), adding up to $12.5 billion (up $2.5 billion from 2023). People lost over $3 billion to scams that started online, compared to approximately $1.9 billion lost to more “traditional” contact methods like calls, texts, or emails. However, people lost more money per person (a median of $1,500) when they interacted with scammers on the phone. And, once again, imposter scams topped the list of scams reported.

Here are some other things to know:

The biggest scam losses happened by bank transfer or payment. Among all payment methods, people reported losing

more money through a bank transfer or payment ($2 billion), followed by cryptocurrency at $1.4 billion.

Investment scams led to big losses. A majority (79%) of people who reported an investment-related scam lost money, with a median loss of over $9,000. The $5.7 billion losses in this category are up about $1 billion from last year.
People reported losing money more often when contacted through social media. Most people (70%) reported a loss when contacted on a social media platform — and lost more money overall ($1.9 billion).
Job scams and fake employment agency losses jumped — a lot. Between 2020-2024, reports nearly tripled and losses grew from $90 million to $501 million.
Younger people lost money more often. People aged 20-29 reported losing money more often than people 70+. But when older adults lost money, they lost far more than any other age group.
That call or email saying you missed jury duty and need to pay? It’s a scam

If you’ve been summoned for jury duty, you know there are serious consequences for missing it — like fines, court appointments, or even jail time. Scammers know this too, and they’re calling and

Fake check scam targets online car sellers

Are you selling a car online? If so, know that scammers may target you. They’ll pretend to be a buyer and try to trick you into sending them money.

Sign over a portion of your VA benefits? Nope, that’s a scam

Whether you served for four, ten, or twenty years, veterans' pension and disability benefits might be an important — often essential — part of your life after the military. That’s why scammers call

Did someone use your SSN to file taxes? Here’s what to do

If you’re filing your taxes online this year, watch for signs of tax identity theft, like someone using your Social Security number (SSN) to file and claim a tax refund. One way you’ll know is if the

Looking for love? Watch out for scammers

Thinking of trying your luck with an online dating app, or getting to know someone you’ve met on social media? Before you do, make sure you know how to spot a romance scammer. Here’s a typical romance

Tax season 2025: where to find help

Tax season is here and people have questions. Where to file? How to file? Can I file online? For free? For those answers, always start with the official IRS website at irs.gov.

Have a problem with something you bought?

The holiday shopping season is over, but the issues you’re having with a product might not be. Here’s what to do about it. Disappointed by a product or service? It’s a good idea to go back to the

Four ways to avoid scams after a weather-related disaster

Whenever severe weather strikes — blizzards, heavy winds, or the recent devastating fires in Los Angeles — you can bet scammers are following the news to target people affected.

The biggest takeaway? Your reports make a difference. If you see a fraud or scam, the FTC wants to hear about it: go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Have you visited the national #SeniorMedicarePatrol website? It has a lot of great Medicare fraud-fighting information – like how to find your local SMP, the most common fraud schemes, news, videos, information on how to volunteer, and much more!

Be on the lookout for a call spoofing scam from your "doctor!" Scammers are using technology to copy doctors’ office phone numbers to call Medicare beneficiaries pretending to be from the office to ask for Medicare numbers.

Don’t ever give out your Medicare number over the phone. If you have, report it to the SMP!

As a caregiver, one way you can help protect your loved one is to watch out for scammers. One way scammers go after people is through the mail.

Sending documents that look like official government letters and claiming they need personal information like a Social Security number, Medicare number, or banking information, are ways they can create financial ruin for your loved one.

The next time you visit your loved one, review their mail with them using these tips.

Older adults are often the target of scams. Scammers are savvy and convincing, and their scams are designed to catch people off guard. Don’t be ashamed if you think you or someone you know has been a victim of a scam — it can happen to anyone. Beware of Scams Targeting Older Adults | National Institute on Aging (nih.gov)

Reference: www.smpresource.org

The SMP is hearing about ostomy pouch charges on Medicare statements that aren't needed, wanted, or received. This could be the beginning of a new scam trend.

Be sure to review your Medicare statements and look for ostomy supplies. If you find charges, report it to the #SeniorMedicarePatrol at 877-808-2468 or smpresource.org/reportfraud.

FYI... www.smpresource.org

One thing you can do to be a fraud fighter is to spread the word about scams! Sharing posts, talking to friends and family, and sharing information with your community about scams can help prevent people from falling victim to them.

The best defense against #scams is you. A Federal Trade Commission report said that people who avoided scams:

Didn’t engage with the scam offer,

Learned about the scam and scammer's tactics, and

Talked to someone about the scam.

#learn #sharewithsomeone #avoidscams #dontengage #FTC #avoidscams #SMP #SeniorMedicarePatrol #Medicare #OlderAdults #Aging #MedicareFraud #MedicareScams #PreventDetectReport

Here are 3 tips to prevent #Medicare fraud! Share this information with your friends and family so they can stay alert! #SeniorMedicarePatrol

HHS-OIG is dedicated to safeguarding our health care system, combating fraud, protecting taxpayer dollars, and upholding the integrity of Medicare and Medicaid. Have information on potential fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement? Report it at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477), visit either www.smpresource.org or tips.hhs.gov.

#HealthcareIntegrity #FraudPrevention #Medicare #Medicaid #ProtectTaxpayerDollars #ReportFraud

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between fraud, errors, or abuse? This scale of intent can help show the difference. #MedicareFraud #SeniorMedicarePatrol #PreventDetectReport