Each year, billions of dollars are lost to Medicare and Medicaid programs due to error, fraud and abuse.

The Coastal GeorgiaCares SMP program is dedicated to promoting consumer awareness, preventing elder victimization, and working to implement community partnerships to prevent Medicare and Medicaid fraud, error and abuse.

The Coastal GeorgiaCares SMP Project encourages Georgians to take an active role in protecting health care for current and future generations. The message is simple: Be informed, be aware, and be involved.

Be informed. Seniors are informed that most providers are honest and provide the best care they can. However, a few health care professionals engage in unscrupulous practices that drain Medicare and Medicaid programs of valuable resources that affect the quality of health care.

Be aware.  Medicare beneficiaries can take an active role in protecting health care by reviewing their Medicare summary notices (MSNs), confirming that all services/supplies were necessary and confirming that services/supplies were received. In addition, Medicare beneficiaries should be suspicious of any service/supply that is advertised as “free” and asks for a Medicare/Medicaid number. If a beneficiary suspects fraud, error and/or abuse, he/she should call their provider to discuss the problem. If the beneficiary is not comfortable calling or with the response the provider gives, he/she should contact GeorgiaCares at 1-800-669-8387.

Be involved. Volunteers are key to efforts. The GeorgiaCares Senior Medicare Patrol Project is actively seeking volunteers throughout Georgia to participate by giving presentations, answering incoming phone calls, helping beneficiaries review their MSNs, and assisting with other outreach activities.