MADISON - Next year, Medicare will celebrate its 50th anniversary in service to seniors and persons with disabilities. Protection for the aged against the high cost of health care was the primary objective for the implementation of Medicare.
Medicare beneficiaries aim to ensure the ongoing success and health of the Medicare program and to help protect consumers of health care services. Medicare experiences a fair amount of fraud and abuse. Medicare and programs, such as Wisconsin Senior Medicare Patrol, offer an array of materials and resources for beneficiaries to monitor and account for their health services and costs.
To receive resources, contact Wisconsin SMP at 800-488-2596 ext. 317 or the Green County Aging and Disability Resource Center at 608-328-9393.
Through beneficiary participation, problems and errors are more likely to be resolved and Medicare fraud and abuse can be reduced.
Wisconsin SMP offers recommendations to participate in Medicare in a helpful and protective way:
n Protect Medicare card and number. Do not carry Medicare card unless needed for visits to a doctor, clinic or pharmacy, and keep it in a secure area.
n Record, in a personal journal, doctor visits, tests, prescriptions and all other health care related expenses.
n Compare information on Medicare Summary Notice and Medicare Part D Explanation of Benefits to your records for possible errors or fraud. Check for the charges for items or services not received, billing for the same service twice and services not ordered by a physician.
Contact health care provider or plan if there are problems or errors on MSN or EOB. If these issues are not resolved and fraud or abuse is suspected, call 800-633-4227, contact the elder benefit specialist in the local county or Wisconsin SMP at 800-488-2596 ext. 317.
Medicare was established in 1965 under President Johnson's administration through amendments to the Social Security Program.
Medicare beneficiaries aim to ensure the ongoing success and health of the Medicare program and to help protect consumers of health care services. Medicare experiences a fair amount of fraud and abuse. Medicare and programs, such as Wisconsin Senior Medicare Patrol, offer an array of materials and resources for beneficiaries to monitor and account for their health services and costs.
To receive resources, contact Wisconsin SMP at 800-488-2596 ext. 317 or the Green County Aging and Disability Resource Center at 608-328-9393.
Through beneficiary participation, problems and errors are more likely to be resolved and Medicare fraud and abuse can be reduced.
Wisconsin SMP offers recommendations to participate in Medicare in a helpful and protective way:
n Protect Medicare card and number. Do not carry Medicare card unless needed for visits to a doctor, clinic or pharmacy, and keep it in a secure area.
n Record, in a personal journal, doctor visits, tests, prescriptions and all other health care related expenses.
n Compare information on Medicare Summary Notice and Medicare Part D Explanation of Benefits to your records for possible errors or fraud. Check for the charges for items or services not received, billing for the same service twice and services not ordered by a physician.
Contact health care provider or plan if there are problems or errors on MSN or EOB. If these issues are not resolved and fraud or abuse is suspected, call 800-633-4227, contact the elder benefit specialist in the local county or Wisconsin SMP at 800-488-2596 ext. 317.
Medicare was established in 1965 under President Johnson's administration through amendments to the Social Security Program.