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Home > About Us > Press Releases > AoA Announces New Grants to Help Spot Waste, Fraud and Abuse in Medicare and Medicaid |
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Press Releases
Contact: Moya Benoit Thompson 202-401-4541 AoA Announces New Grants to Help Spot Waste, Fraud and Abuse in Medicare and Medicaid Jeanette C. Takamura, Assistant Secretary for Aging, today announced that the Administration on Aging (AoA) plans to award 19 new and 29 renewed grants for a program that recruits and trains retired professionals to identify fraud, waste and abuse in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. These 48 Senior Medicare Patrol Project grants, which total almost $10 million, are located in 43 States, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. They are administered by HHS’ Administration on Aging to teach volunteer retired professionals such as doctors, nurses, accountants, investigators, law enforcement personnel, attorneys, teachers and others to work with Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Volunteers will work in their own communities and in local senior centers to help identify deceptive health care practices, such as overbilling, overcharging, or providing unnecessary or inappropriate services. "We know that by expanding this program, even more volunteers and honest health care providers will join together to prevent older persons from being victimized," said Assistant Secretary Takamura. "The success of this program underscores the contributions our national aging network continues to make to our country as it works closely with older Americans, their family members and peers to prevent and halt this drain on our health care system." The Senior Medicare Patrol Project grants, originally named the Health Care Anti-Fraud, Waste and Abuse Community Volunteers Demonstration Projects, were created under report language authored by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA). "These grants will help to continue providing Medicare recipients the tools they need to spot problems and help preserve Medicare for generations to come," said Senator Harkin. "This effort has already educated thousands of seniors across the nation, but more still needs to be done. Stopping fraud and correcting billing errors strengthens Medicare for today and tomorrow." These grants teach retired professionals not only what fraud and abuse is, but what it isn't. Senior volunteers undergo several days of training reviewing health care benefit statements and outlining the steps seniors can take to protect themselves. Funding for the projects is being provided to AoA through Title IV of the Older Americans Act. Following is a list of new Senior Medicare Patrol Project Grants and the amount of each award: California Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program Association, San Mateo, CA - $280,000 - With the state ombudsman programs and area agencies on aging (AAA’s). Hawaii Executive Office on Aging, Honolulu, HI - $193,046 - With the Maui County AAA, the Moililli Community Center, AARP Hawaii and the University of Hawaii. Suburban Area Agency on Aging, Oak Park, IL - $220,000 - With the Illinois Department of Aging, the Northeastern AAA and the Chicago Department on Aging. Iowa Department of Elder Affairs, Des Moines, IA - $281,045 - With the state AAA’s, the Iowa Senior Health Insurance Information Program and the Senior Center Coalition. Louisiana Association of Councils on Aging, Inc. Natchitoches, LA - $124,102 -- With the Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs, Retired Teacher’s Association, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Parish Councils on Aging, and Ministerial Alliance. Maryland Department of Aging, Baltimore, MD - $265,000 - With the Maryland Association of AAA’s, the Maryland Association of Senior Centers and the Delmarva Foundation. Minnesota Board on Aging, St Paul, MN - $219,688 - With the Minnesota Attorney General's Office, and the Arrowhead and Southwest District AAA’s. Mississippi Department of Human Services, Jackson, MS - $220,000 - With the Central Mississippi, South Delta, and Southern Mississippi AAA’s and North Mississippi Rural Legal Services. District III Area Agency on Aging, Warrensburg, MO - $213,488 - With the Missouri Division on Aging and AARP Missouri. Nebraska Department of Human Services, Lincoln, NE - $201,464 - With the Division of Aging and Disability Services, the state AAA’s and Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs. New Hampshire Division of Elderly and Adult Services, Concord, NH - $248,416 - With the Community Services Council of New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Association of Senior Centers and the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Service. New York State Office for the Aging, Albany, NY - $290,000 - With the State Attorney General's Office, 11 metropolitan AAA’s and the New York Association of Senior Centers. North Carolina Division on Aging, Raleigh, NC - $220,000 - With the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program, the state AAA’s, the Community Advisory Committees, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, the Seniors Plus Program, and the CARE-LINE in the State Office of Citizen Services. Coalition of Advocates for the Rights of the Infirm Elderly, Philadelphia, PA - $288,000 - With the Albert Einstein Medical Center, the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging and its Long-Term Care Ombudsmen Program, the Mayor's Commission and the Executive Service Corps. Aging 2000 Inc, Providence, RI - $220,000 With the Attorney General's Office, the Department of Elder Affairs, the Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Attorney Generals Office for Rhode Island, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (formerly the Health Care Financing Administration), Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Rhode Island, AARP (RI), the Long-Term Care Ombudsmen Program and the Senior Health Insurance Program. South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Columbia, SC - $151,638 -- With the Division of Elder Rights, the Palmetto Government Benefits Administration, the state Attorney General’s Office, the Department of Insurance, the Insurance Counseling Assistance and Referral for Elders program, and the state AAA’s and Long-Term Care Ombudsmen Programs. East River Legal Services Corporation, Sioux Falls, SD - $60,774 - With the Senior Health Information and Insurance Education, AARP South Dakota, the Division of Insurance Fraud Unit, the US Attorneys Office, and the State Attorney General. Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups, Madison, WI - $220,000 - With the state Attorney General's Office and Bureau of Aging and Long-Term Care Resources, the Wisconsin Association of Senior Centers, AARP Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Retired Educators Association. Wyoming Division on Aging, Cheyenne, WY - $147,500 -- With Wyoming Senior Citizens, Inc., the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, the Senior Health Information Program, the Wyoming Office of the Attorney General, and the Wyoming Department of Insurance. Following is the list of continuation grants, each new award amount, and a description of the program: Alabama Commission on Aging - Montgomery, AL $210,000 With the Alabama Senior Community Advocate Program, three AAA’s, a state task force and local coalitions of aging network providers and volunteers. Alaska State Division of Senior Services - Anchorage, AK $170,000 With the Alaska Commission on Aging, AARP Alaska, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, and others. Arizona Department of Economic Security - Phoenix, AZ $209,736 With the Long-Term Care Ombudsmen Program, Legal Assistance Providers, Adult Protective Service Providers, and state AAA’s. Future partners include: the State Attorney General’s Office, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the Office of Elder Affairs, and the Arizona Senior Center Association. Arkansas Seniors Organized - Little Rock, AR, $115,000 With the Division of Aging and Adult Services; the Senior Health Insurance Information Program; the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, the Arkansas AAA’s; the Governor’s Council on Aging; the Senior Center Task Force, and AARP-Arkansas. Colorado Division of Insurance - Denver, CO $209,299 With the regional Medicare counseling affiliates, AARP (CO), Home Care Management, Inc., and other agencies. Connecticut Department of Social Services - Hartford, CT , $195,000 With the state AAA’s; the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program; the Connecticut Beneficiary Outreach Coalition; the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit; the Senior Volunteer Assistance Program; the Office of Inspector General; the Center for Medicare Advocacy, legal services programs, and other entities. Delaware Department of Health and Social Services - New Castle, DE $200,000 With the State Attorney General’s Office; the U.S. Attorney General’s Office; the Medicare Part B Carrier (Trailblazer); the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and senior centers. AARP Foundation - Washington, D.C. $175,000. With the George Washington University Health Insurance and Counseling Program, the D.C. Office on Aging, the D.C. Ombudsman Program, the Nursing Home Anti-Fraud Coalition, and AARP members. Friendship House - Washington, D.C. $110,000. With the D.C. Office on Aging, Barney Neighborhood House, IONA Senior Services, Inc., the Senior Citizens Counseling & Delivery Services, Inc., and other community-based organizations. Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council - St. Petersburg, FL $210,000 With the West Central Florida AAA; the Florida Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit; First Coast Service Options, Inc.; Florida Medical Quality Assurance, Inc., and the Department of Elder Affairs. Georgia Department of Human Resources - Atlanta, GA $180,000 With a wide variety of local, public, and private entities, the project will build upon existing anti-fraud and abuse activities to educate and train beneficiaries through AAA’s and other community agencies. Atlanta Regional Commission - Atlanta, GA $130,000 With the Inspector General, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the Department of Audit; Georgia’s AAA’s, and the State Attorney General’s Office. Idaho Commission on Aging - Boise, ID $195,000 With the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors; the state’s AAA’s and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Indiana Division of Disability, Aging, and Rehabilitation Services - Indianapolis, IN $155,000 With the Medicare contractor; the state Attorney General’s Office; the Commission on Aging; the Division of Medicaid Policy and Planning and Indiana’s AAA’s. Maine Department of Human Services’ Bureau of Elder and Adult Services - Augusta, ME $200,000 With the state’s AAA’s; Legal Services for the Elderly; the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program; the Bureau of Medical Services; the local Medicare Carrier; and the Health Care Fraud Investigator at the U.S. Attorney General’s Office. Elder Services of Merrimack - Lawrence , MA $155,000 With the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Minuteman Home Care and Danvers Council on Aging. Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan - Lansing, MI $170,000 With AAA’s and service providers throughout Michigan and the State Health Insurance and Assistance Program. Missoula Aging Services - Missoula, MT $210,000 With three AAA’s, as well as various public and private organizations. Nevada Division of Aging Services - Las Vegas, NV $210,000 With the Division of Aging Services, the Nevada Office of the Attorney General and AARP. New Mexico State Agency on Aging - Santa Fe, NM $195,000 With the Attorney General’s Office; the Department of Health; the State Medicaid agency; community providers, and the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging - Cleveland OH $195,000 With five county departments on aging in Cuyahoga; Geauga; Lake; Lorain; and Medina County. State of Oklahoma Insurance Department - Oklahoma City, OK $210,000 With the Department of Human Services; the Governor’s Office, the Attorney General’s Office; the University of Oklahoma Geriatric Center; the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program; the Oklahoma Association of AAA’s; the Oklahoma Indian Council on Aging; AARP Oklahoma, and the Tulsa County Senior Nutrition Program. Senior and Disabled Services Division - Salem, OR $210,000 With the State of Oregon, the Department of Human Resources, and Senior and Disabled Services Division and Elders in Action. Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs - San Juan, PR $210,000 With the Puerto Rico Bar Association; various Puerto Rican retired professional organizations; AAA’s; senior centers; the University of Puerto Rico and the School of Medicine Geriatric Center. Baylor University - Waco, TX $130,000 With the Institute of Gerontological Studies, the Central Texas AAA, and the Heart of Texas AAA. The National Hispanic Council on Aging - Corpus Christi, TX $210,000 With the Centers for Disease Control, the WK Kellogg Foundation, and a National Telemarketing Fraud project administered by the U.S. Department of Justice. Utah Legal Services - Salt Lake City, UT - $151,000 With the Senior Lawyer Project, local, state and federal agencies and private groups. Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging - Richmond, VA $200,000 With AAA’s, local service providers, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, the Virginia Insurance Counseling Assistance Program, and federal and state agencies. Office of the Insurance Counselor - Olympia, WA $210,000 With the Statewide Health Benefits Advisors Case Management and Resolution Units in Ellensburg/Spokane and King/Pierce Counties. Additional information about AoA’s Senior Medicare Patrol Project Grants is available by contacting Brian Lutz at 202-690-7525 or email: brian.lutz@aoa.gov.
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