WILMINGTON, Del. – Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) will hold a press conference to highlight the work of the Delaware Partners of Senior Medicare Patrol Program in reducing waste and fraud in the Medicare program. Sen. Carper will also discuss his other efforts to protect Medicare by reducing waste, fraud, and abuse. The event will take place from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. on Friday, May 20, 2011 at the Newark Senior Center, 200 Whitechapel Drive, Newark, DE 19713. The Delaware Partners of Senior Medicare Patrol Program is a statewide organization that enlists retired senior citizens to serve as volunteers to provide information and help other Medicare beneficiaries seek appropriate courses of action when they suspect fraud, waste or abuse of the Medicare program.  

Sen. Carper will be joined at the press conference by Cynthia Allen, Program Administrator, and Helen Carson, Volunteer Coordinator, of Delaware Partners of Senior Medicare Patrol Program. The participants will share success stories of seniors in curbing Medicare fraud and describe opportunities for seniors to become involved in identifying and curbing Medicare fraud.  

"The Delaware Senior Medicare Patrol serves an invaluable purpose in Delaware communities," said Sen. Carper. "Not only does the Senior Medicare Patrol help senior citizens identify fraud, but it also works to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent responsibly and lawfully. Through the Delaware Senior Medicare Patrol, seniors have the opportunity to make an important contribution in preventing waste, fraud and abuse in a vital health care service on which they and their peers depend. I hope that this organization continues to grow and attract dedicated volunteers, and I'd like to personally invite all senior Delawareans to consider getting involved with the Senior Medicare Patrol. Working together, we can all make a difference in the fight to protect Medicare and prevent fraud."  

The Delaware Partners of Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) team of volunteers and staff are available to assist Medicare beneficiaries with many issues, ranging from billing or coding errors to potential fraud, abuse, or waste of Medicare and Medicaid funds.  

"The SMP program represents 'boots on the ground' to help empower seniors to become self-advocates in addressing the reality we face today – health care fraud," said Allen.  

The SMP team can assist with cost savings, sometimes due to inappropriate billing by the provider. Medicare beneficiaries or their caregivers can do one simple thing: read their Medicare summary notice. If they see anything different than that service that was provided, contact the SMP team.  

For more information on the Delaware Partners of Senior Medicare Patrol Program, go to http://dhss.delaware.gov/dsaapd/fraudpatrol.html. To get involved with the organization, please contact the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities at (800) 223-9074 or DelawareADRC@state.de.us.  

WHAT:
Press Conference Highlighting the Work of the Delaware Partners of Senior Medicare Patrol Program in Reducing Medicare Waste, Fraud and Abuse  

WHO:
U.S. Senator Tom Carper
Cynthia Allen, Program Administrator of Delaware Partners of Senior Medicare Patrol Program
Helen Carson, Volunteer Coordinator of Delaware Partners of Senior Medicare Patrol Program  

WHERE:
Newark Senior Center, 200 Whitechapel Drive, Newark, DE 19713  

WHEN:
Friday, May 20, 2011 from 11:15 – 11:45 a.m.  

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