What is the SMP program?

The SMP program, also known as Senior Medicare Patrol program, helps Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries prevent, detect, and report health care fraud. In doing so, they help protect older persons and promote integrity in the Medicare program. Because this work often requires face-to-face contact to be most effective, SMPs have recruited nearly 6,000 volunteers nationwide to support this effort. SMP volunteers serve in many ways, including outreach, education, and one-on-one counseling. Most are Medicare beneficiaries themselves and are thus well-positioned to assist their peers.

You Can Stop Medicare, Errors, Fraud and Abuse

  1. PROTECT your medicare number
  2. DETECT by reading your medicare summary notice
  3. REPORT your concerns to 1-888-515-6565
Learn More

Can you escape medical fraud?

Play our online escape room and learn about potential Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse situations and how to avoid them.

Play and Escape

Are you smarter than a… SCAM ARTIST?

Play our online game to find out and arm yourself against common scam tactics.

Play the Game

Upcoming Events

Select your region to find events near you.

Follow Us on Social Media

Used for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

National Medicare Education Week is a week held one month before Medicare's Open Enrollment to educate beneficiaries, families, caregivers, health care workers, and anyone else about the Medicare program!

The #SeniorMedicarePatrol, or #SMP, is a program that educates about preventing Medicare fraud.
The #SHIP, assists Medicare beneficiaries with Medicare enrollment.

To learn more about either program, visit www.smpresource.org or www.shiphelp.org.
#medicareeducationweek
... See MoreSee Less

In some cases, SMPs do more than educate. When Medicare beneficiaries are unable to act on their own behalf to address suspected Medicare fraud, errors, or abuse, the SMPs work with them, their family, caregivers, and others to address the problems. If necessary, SMPs make referrals to outside organizations.

Here are steps SMPs recommend beneficiaries take to report concerns:

📲Call your health care provider or supplier to ask about the charge. If it was an error, ask them to correct it.
❓ If your provider or supplier can’t answer the question, call Medicare or the insurance company that paid the bill. Their contact information can be found on your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or Explanation of Benefits (EOB).
🔍If you are not satisfied with the response you get from a provider, supplier, or insurance company, you can contact the #MissouriSMP. The SMP helps beneficiaries understand the difference between suspected fraud, errors, or abuse. SMPs also assist beneficiaries in addressing suspected errors. If fraud or abuse is suspected, SMPs refer cases to the proper authorities for further investigation
... See MoreSee Less

In some cases, SMPs do more than educate. When Medicare beneficiaries are unable to act on their own behalf to address suspected Medicare fraud, errors, or abuse, the SMPs work with them, their family, caregivers, and others to address the problems. If necessary, SMPs make referrals to outside organizations.

Here are steps SMPs recommend beneficiaries take to report concerns:

📲Call your health care provider or supplier to ask about the charge. If it was an error, ask them to correct it.
❓ If your provider or supplier can’t answer the question, call Medicare or the insurance company that paid the bill. Their contact information can be found on your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or Explanation of Benefits (EOB).
🔍If you are not satisfied with the response you get from a provider, supplier, or insurance company, you can contact the #MissouriSMP. The SMP helps beneficiaries understand the difference between suspected fraud, errors, or abuse. SMPs also assist beneficiaries in addressing suspected errors. If fraud or abuse is suspected, SMPs refer cases to the proper authorities for further investigation

Gift cards and other prepaid cards cannot be used to pay medical, utility, tax, or other government bills. If you get calls asking you to purchase gift cards, be aware that this is likely a scam. ... See MoreSee Less

Gift cards and other prepaid cards cannot be used to pay medical, utility, tax, or other government bills. If you get calls asking you to purchase gift cards, be aware that this is likely a scam.
Load more