Attention Illinois, Massachusetts and Rhode Island Providers: Senior Medicare Patrol Can Assist Medicare Providers!
National Government Services is proud to announce a special project to assist our providers with your Medicare patients regarding their billing statements with Senior Medicare Patrol in the states of Illinois, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Please review the following for more details.
What is Senior Medicare Patrol?
SMP is a national program of the Administration for Community Living, an operating division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. SMP empowers and assists Medicare beneficiaries to prevent health care fraud, errors, and abuse. SMP serves Medicare beneficiaries of all ages, their family members, and caregivers. Whether they have questions about how to prevent fraud or they need assistance determining the charges from a provider bill are correct, SMP work with Medicare patients.
How can SMP help original Medicare providers?
Medicare beneficiaries are instructed to call their health care physician, facility, or agency first to ask questions about their ‘this is not a bill’ Medicare notice that they feel has a billing error. However, at times, after the Medicare provider explains those charges billed to Medicare are correct, the Medicare patient may still not believe those charges are correct. Medicare providers can refer the Medicare patient to their local SMP to get a free, independent review of their concerns.
What should Medicare providers do when the Medicare patient still have concerns?
Medicare providers can refer their Medicare patients to their local SMP (see below) for free one-on-one counseling in understanding their bill/notice. SMP will examine the health care provider’s bill and the patient’s MSN to help them understand those charges.
How can Medicare providers assist their Medicare patients locate their SMP?
Illinois Senior Medicare Patrol - AgeOptions
Illinois SMP Hotline: 800-699-9043
Monday–Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. CT
Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol - AgeSpan
Massachusetts SMP Hotline: 800-892-0890 or email us at Help@MASMP.org.
Rhode Island Senior Medicare Patrol – Healthy Aging
Rhode Island Hotline: 888-884-8721
Posted 5/30/2024