SMP Partners with U.S. Senator Bill Nelson

On March 6, 2012, SMP participated in United States Senator Bill Nelson’s Office Hours.  The Regional Director, Shahra Anderson and representative of Senator Nelson, was gracious enough to co-host this outreach effort with the SMP Program Manager, Makeba Huntington-Symons and Consultant, Sharon Ayers at the Hugh Embry Library in Dade City.  Later that day, the Program Manager had the opportunity to speak before the Pasco County Commissioners during their meeting.  In the afternoon, Volunteer Manager, Lois Statum, attended the event at the Hernando County Mining Association in Brooksville.

Senator Nelson’s Office Hours was an opportunity for constituents to meet with Senator Nelson’s Regional Director, ask questions or raise concerns.  SMP was present in order to bring awareness to the problem of Medicare fraud, waste, and abuse.  This was a great opportunity for SMP because we were able to reach individuals that we may not have been able to otherwise and to continue to enhance our partnerships with Florida’s elected officials.

SMP recently participated in a Town Hall meeting with Congressman Ted Deutch and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.  In addition, Volunteer Manager, Lois Statum represented SMP at Congressman Rich Nugent’s Identity Theft Workshop and Volunteer Manager, Judy Rosenbaum participated in a Town Hall meeting with U.S. Senator Marc Rubio.  In addition, SMP recently participated in an Identity Theft Workshop sponsored by Congresswoman Kathy Castor.

SMP Volunteer Manager Participates in HHS Roundtable

On February 2, 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius held a State of Senior Health Roundtable  at the Mayor William Beardall Senior Center in Orlando.  The purpose of this event was to share with the audience the benefits of the 2010 health care law, the Affordable Care Act.

According to Secretary Sebelius, in Florida one in six residents is over the age of 65.  Therefore, it is important to know and understand the benefits of the health law, which includes  fraud, waste, and abuse provisions.

Conservative estimates state that 3% of Medicare spending is lost to fraud.  That is

Priscilla Davis, SMP Volunteer Manager

approximately 60 billion dollars.  During the hour long discussion, Secretary Sebelius, emphasized that the fraud provisions will help keep the Medicare program solvent.  In addition, she mentioned that under this new health law there has been billions of dollars recovered for the Medicare Trust Fund.  There has also been a 70% increase in prosecution of perpetrators of Medicare and Medicaid fraud.

Priscilla Davis and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Volunteer Manager, Priscilla Davis talked about the SMP program from a volunteer perspective.  Priscilla, highlighted the outreach efforts and successes of the Florida SMP.  In addition, she explained the importance of reading the Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) or Explanation of Benefits (EOBs).  She ended with a call to action for volunteers.  However, not before she urged Secretary Sebelius to increase funding for the SMP program.

Panelists  also highlighted the Medicare Part D savings to low-income seniors.  In addition, a health care consumer shared with the audience her story about falling into the doughnut hole and paying large out of pocket expenses for necessary asthma medications.   Now,

Secretary Sebelius and Makeba Huntington-Symons, SMP Program Manager

because of the Affordable Care Act, she has less out of pocket expenses.

At the end, there was not much time for questions.  However, there were several people who expressed interest in having SMP speak with their groups and volunteering.

Volunteer Managers Attend Two-Day Training

On January 24 and 25, 2012, SMP Volunteer Managers came from Leon, Duval, Citrus, West Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties to receive training that will assist them in becoming even more informed leaders.   They gathered in St. Petersburg to attend

Volunteer Managers, Staff and Consultants

the first ever Volunteer Managers’ Training.  This two-day training was held at the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco and Pinellas, Inc.

SMP Volunteer Managers are volunteers who have taken on leadership roles in their areas.  Their roles are to recruit, train, and manage a team of volunteers, and coordinate community outreach events and presentations.  In addition, they disseminate information to their team.  Essentially, they are the link between staff/consultants and the volunteers they supervise.

Day one’s agenda consisted of Group Education Training;  a Train the Trainer: SMP Foundations Training, as well as a listening session,  information on partnership development, and updates on fraud provisions in the Affordable Care Act.

On day two, they heard from SMP fraud fighting partners, Agent Ryan Lynch of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Lieutenant Carol Conry, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), Stephen Quindoza, ZPIC,  IntegriGuard, and Don Ravenna of Seniors vs. Crime.

ASAC Ryan Lynch, Lieutenant Carol Conry, Don Ravenna, Stephen Quindoza, ZPIC, and SMP Program Manager, Makeba Huntington-Symons

Each guest presented the latest frauds and scams to the volunteers.  They also shared some of the most recent statistics in the fight against fraud.

Volunteer Managers were treated to a special guest.  Regional Director Shahra Anderson, of Senator Bill Nelson’s office discussed the Senator’s efforts to save the Medicare program.  There was also discussion on ways in which we could partner with the Senator Nelson’s office around the state.

The day rounded out with Kathy Marma of AARP who shared her many years of media outreach expertise, during the session

Sharon Ayers, SMP Outreach Consultant

entitled, “Media Outreach:  Making the Most of the Media.”

Overall, the volunteer managers received two days of useful information, ideas to share with their volunteer teams, and a continued interest in helping to end Medicare fraud.  ”I am so proud and thankful for this team of volunteer leaders, staff, and consultants.  These two-days together has proven that they get it.  They understand what they must do in order to empower their peers and they have a  renewed commitment to accomplish this.”  said Makeba Huntington-Symons, SMP Program Manager.

Florida SMP Has Presence at Anti-Fraud Conference

Maureen Patterson, Shirley Merner from the SMP Center, Makeba Huntington-Symons, FL SMP

Florida SMP Program Manager, Makeba Huntington-Symons attended this year’s National Health Care Anti-fraud Association (NHCAA) conference that was held in Atlanta, GA, November 15-17.  NHCAA brings together the national and international players in the effort to combat health care fraud and abuse.  Those in attendance were primarily from CMS, contractors to CMS, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), the FBI and insurance companies.

Last year, the SMP program received the Excellence in Public Awareness Award from NHCAA.  The 2011 NHCAA public awareness award went to the European Healthcare Fraud and Corruption Network.  They created “a real anti-fraud and anti-corruption culture” throughout Europe.  The gentleman who accepted the award stressed the absolute need to empower the seniors in Europe.  He provided an example of his mother who was afraid that her health care would be taken away from her if she reported the flagrant abuse that was being committed by her physician.

The Center’s SMP booth was one of 67 exhibit booths.  The Center staff, Makeba

Maureen Patterson, Makeba Huntington-Symons, FL SMP, and Amanda Carter, GA SMP

Huntington-Symons, along with Amanda Carter, Georgia SMP Program Manager, provided information, and answered questions at the booth.  Makeba shared information on Florida SMP’s partnership with the HEAT Strike Forces.

Over 120 people attended the SMP presentations given by Barbara Dieker, Jean Stone (CMS) and John Morris, who is a volunteer for the Georgia SMP.  Jean talked about Medicare scams and the financial impact it has on Medicare.  Barbara, spoke of the SMP program and our referral mechanisms.  John discussed his role as an SMP volunteer.

Overall, it was a wonderful and extremely informative conference.  It was an opportunity to hear from law enforcement and  those who fight Medicare fraud every day.

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM SKIMMERS by Elaine Togneri

Skimmers are tiny electronic readers used by criminals to capture credit or debit card information when you make a purchase so they can gain access to your accounts. Normally, skimmers sit on top of the card readers that you swipe.  However advances in technology have allowed criminals to set up Bluetooth skimmers that don’t need a physical connection.  Once the bad guys have your information, they sell it or use it to buy whatever they like.

Businesses with machines that accept these debit and credit cards have started to inspect the devices at regular intervals and newer models have alarms to stop anyone from placing a skimmer on them.  But there are steps you can take to protect yourself too:

1. Pay in cash, especially at restaurants and gas stations of any place where you have a concern. At restaurants, your card is out of your view and could be run through a skimmer without your knowledge.  Gas stations are a preferred location for criminals because they can easily install skimmers while pretending to buy gas.

2. If you do use a card at a gas station, chose a pump in full view of the clerk inside.  Criminals favor outside lanes that are out of view when they attach skimmers.  Also use a credit card to limit your liability.

3. Always access the same ATM to withdraw cash, so you get to know what it looks like and can recognize if it’s been tampered with.

4. Look for a peephole that could be a camera set up to capture your pin.

5. Always notify authorities at a location where you see anything suspicious.

6. Check your account balances frequently to validate charges.

7. Notify your bank immediately if you think your account has been compromised.

Medicare phone scam

Medicare phone scam.

Florida SMP Announces Five New Volunteer Managers

In an effort to increase outreach and provide local leadership to SMP volunteers, the SMP Program has appointed five new Volunteer Managers. Thomas “Tab” Bush, Kim “Kimmie” Correll, Joe Schwartz, Matt Shack, and Ken Thomas have agreed to take on this new role.

Tab Bush has over twenty-five years of experience in a variety of management positions  in the public and private sectors.  As a result of his years of experience,  he has considerable expertise in strategic planning, budget development and control, financial management, negotiations, research, human resources and procurement. Tab is also an ordained minister and a graduate of Florida State Seminary with a PhD in Christian Education. In addition to his work with SMP,  he is also a volunteer Chaplain with the Big Bend Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Big Bend Hospice.  Tab will serve Leon, Gadsen, Jefferson, and Wakulla Counties. Tab may be reached by e-mail at ta_bush@yahoo.com

Kimmie Correll, is semi-retired and owner of her own interior design company.  Prior to her design work, she managed a non-assisted living property, in the Cherokee Nation.  She has also worked with seniors in her community center and in their homes.  Kimmie also volunteers with AARP.   Kimmie will serve Charlotte and Lee Counties.  Kimmie may be reached at kimmiedesignmine@yahoo.com.

Joe Schwartz earned his M.A. in Latin History for the City University of New York (Queens College).  He became a teaching assistant at C.U.N.Y., and later became the President and owner of a prescription drug wholesale company and diabetic  supply company.  In addition to his work with SMP, Joe sits on the TRIAD Board of directors, he is the TRIAD Newsletter Editor and Publisher, AARP Advocacy Volunteer, AARP Drive Safety Marketing Specialist.  He was recently certified as a SHINE Counselor, and he is currently the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (R.S.V.P.) Coordinator.  Joe recently received the C. Colburn Hardy Older Advocate Award for his untiring service in his community.  Joe may be reached at jschw33073@aol.com

Matt Shack is a graduate of Florida A@M University, where he earned a B.A. in Mathematics.  He also served as Navy Pilot from 1965 to 1970.  Matt is a retired insurance agent.  In addition to his volunteer efforts with SMP ,  he has been an  AARP member since 2004 and is currently serving on the Board of Directors of AARP Chapter 1315 Panama City.  He is also a member of the NAACP Panama City, and the Glenwood Working Partnership.  In addition to his volunteer service, he is an author and playwright, and the Founder and Director of the Glenwood Community Playhouse for the Performing Arts since 2007.  Matt will serve Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, and Washington Counties.  Matt may be reached at mwshack@comcasst.net.

Ken Thomas a native of Virginia grew up in “Colonial Williamsburg.” Leaving Virginia for the U.S. Air Force, he began a 35 year career in the field of Air Traffic Control.  In 2001, Ken and  his family moved to Florida and have enjoyed living in “Paradise” where he decided to retire in December 2009.  In addition to his work with SMP,  he has been a volunteer Guardian ad Litem, since 2002, President of a non-Profit, Speak Up for Kids of Palm Beach County, Inc. since 2008, and a volunteer with AARP since 2010.  His favorite things to do are fishing, walking, traveling, and volunteering.  Ken may be reached at k.thomassr@comcast.net.

The Volunteer Manager’s role is to recruit, train, and manage his or her volunteer teams.  We are delighted to have them on board and we are looking forward to having them serve in their new capacity.

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