More money for Medicare patrols

As part of the Obama administration's effort to educate seniors about Medicare fraud, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has granted $9 million to some 50 Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) programs for fraud prevention. This grant, which will be administered in collaboration with the Administration on Aging, increases the current funding for SMP programs by 100 percent.

States with high fraud rates will see an infusion of funds to fight fraud through media campaigns and other educational efforts. Seniors are encouraged to review Medicare notices to identify billing errors and spot fraudulent activity. So far, the response from seniors has been enthusiastic and many have signed up to volunteer for SMP programs.

"Most are grateful and proud to make a difference in the future of the Medicare program by preventing, identifying and reporting health care fraud that could potentially cost taxpayers billions of dollars," said Moya Thompson, the Director of Public Affairs for the U.S. Administration on Aging, in an interview with Orthopedics Today.