SMP programs, also known as Senior Medicare Patrol programs, help Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries avoid, detect, and prevent healthcare fraud. The SMP program recruits and trains volunteers to help educate local beneficiaries and prevent healthcare fraud. Volunteers are trained to help disseminate SMP information or provide group education and community outreach and information.
SMP is a grant-funded program by the Administration on Aging (AoA) of the a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent warning letters to seven sellers of scam treatments for the new Coronavirus, COVID-19. So far, all of the companies have made big changes to their advertising to remove unsupported claims, but scammers don’t take a break. Learn what to do about undelivered goods; fake charities; fake emails, texts, and phishing; robocalls; and misinformation and rumors. If you encounter suspicious claims, report them to the FTC.
Additional Reminders:
For more information on volunteering or to schedule a training, contact 703-228-1725 or call 703-228-1700 (TTY 711) or email arlaaa@arlingtonva.us and ask about the SMP program.
If you suspect health care fraud you can call the Virginia SMP Program toll-free at 1-800-938-8885. Consumers can also make anonymous calls to this complaint line.
Learn more about Virginia SMP at www.VirginiaSMP.com.
You may qualify for Medicare’s Extra Help program. Call us at 703-228-1700 and ask to speak with a trained VICAP Medicare Counselor.
Medicare beneficiaries can qualify for Extra Help with their Medicare prescription drug plan costs. The Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $4,000 per year. To qualify for the Extra Help, a person must be receiving Medicare, have limited resources and income, and reside in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. For more information visit Apply Online for Extra Help with Prescriptions Costs.