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HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala, joined by U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), today announced 41 grants totaling $7 million to expand a program that recruits and trains retired professionals to identify waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

The Senior Medicare Patrol Project grants, including 29 new and 12 renewed grants, will be distributed among 38 states, including 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 how to work with Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Volunteers 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 are committed to a strong, long-term effort to protect the integrity of the Medicare Trust Fund and prevent waste, fraud and abuse in federal health programs," Secretary Shalala said. "We have undertaken a wide range of actions within HHS. We are working with the millions of honest health care providers. And equally important, we want to help enable older Americans themselves to work closely with their family members, friends, and neighbors to recognize problems and to report them. That's why today we're expanding the Senior Patrols project nationwide."

The Senior Medicare Patrol Project grants, originally named the Health Care Anti-Fraud, Waste and Abuse Community Volunteers Demonstration Projects, were authored in 1997 by Sen. Harkin. The current projects have tested different models and in the past 18 months have trained more than 6,000 retired volunteers to serve as resources and educators for older persons in their communities. The trainees, in turn, have trained more than 70,000 Medicare beneficiaries how to spot problems. Projects announced today will result in training 15,000 more volunteers, who will in turn help educate 250,000 additional beneficiaries. The projects teach not only what fraud and abuse is, but also 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.

"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 for Aging Jeanette C. 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 Patrol project is part of the Administration's broad initiative to combat waste, fraud and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid, including extensive efforts by HHS' Health Care Financing Administration, which administers the programs, and by the HHS Office of Inspector General and the Department of Justice. Savings for this effort, including program and payment integrity improvements, total more than $38 billion since 1993. In addition, convictions and other successful legal actions stemming from anti-fraud and abuse efforts have increased more than 240 percent during this period.

To help beneficiaries and others report possible problems, the HHS Inspector General maintains a toll-free Hotline, 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477). The Hotline has received over 50,000 tips warranting follow-up. In addition, HHS earlier this year joined with the AARP in an outreach effort to AARP members to help identify possible waste, fraud and abuse by examining Medicare statements.

Following is a list of new Senior Medicare Patrol Project Grants and the amount of each award:

Alabama Commission on Aging - Montgomery, AL $170,000. A collaborative effort with the Alabama Senior Community Advocate Program, three area agencies on aging, a State Task Force and local coalitions of aging network providers and volunteers.

Alaska State Division of Senior Services - Anchorage, AK $130,000. A collaborative effort with the Alaska Commission on Aging, the AARP, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, and other state and local entities to recruit and train retired volunteers.

Arizona Department of Economic Security - Phoenix, AZ $170,000. A collaborative effort with the Long-term Care Ombudsman Program, Legal Assistance Providers, Adult Protective Service Providers, and Arizona Area Agencies on Aging. Plans include expanding partnerships to 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, $79,000. A collaborative effort with the Arkansas Division of Aging and Adult Services; the Senior Health Insurance Information Program; the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, the Arkansas area agencies on aging; AARP; the Governor's Council on Aging; and the Senior Center Task Force.

Colorado Division of Insurance - Denver, CO $170,000. A collaborative effort with the regional Medicare counseling affiliates, the Colorado AARP, Home Care Management, Inc., and other key state, federal, and local government agencies.

Connecticut Department of Social Services - Hartford, CT, $155,000. A collaborative effort with five area agencies on aging; the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman; the Connecticut Beneficiary Outreach Coalition; the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit; the Senior Volunteer Assistance Program; the Center for Medicare Advocacy, legal services programs, and other entities.

Delaware Department of Health and Social Services - New Castle, DE $150,000. A collaborative effort with the State Attorney General's Office; the U.S. Attorney's Office; the Medicare Part B Carrier (Trailblazer); the Retired Senior Volunteer Program; and senior centers.

The AARP Foundation - Washington, D.C. $125,000. A collaborative effort 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. $85,000. A collaborative effort 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 $170,000. A collaborative effort 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 $140,000. The Georgia Department of Human Resources will build upon existing anti-fraud and abuse activities to focus on educating and training beneficiaries through area agencies on aging and other community-based agencies. Collaborators include a wide variety of local, public, and private entities.

Atlanta Regional Commission - Atlanta, GA $90,000. A collaborative effort with area agencies on aging, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the Department of Audit; and the State Attorney General's Office.

Idaho Commission on Aging - Boise, ID $155,000. A collaborative effort with Idaho's six area agencies on aging; the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors; and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.

Indiana Division of Disability, Aging, and Rehabilitation Services - Indianapolis, IN $155,000. A collaborative effort with the Medicare contractor; the Indiana Attorney General's Office; the Indiana Commission on Aging; the Indiana Division of Medicaid Policy and Planning; area agencies on aging, and other community-based entities.

Maine Department of Human Services' Bureau of Elder and Adult Services - Augusta, ME $160,000. A collaborative effort with the five area agencies on aging; 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's Office.

Elder Services of Merrimack - Lawrence, MA $115,000. A collaborative effort 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. A collaborative effort with area agencies on aging and service providers throughout Michigan and the State Health Insurance and Assistance Program.

Missoula Aging Services - Missoula, MT $170,000. A collaborative effort with three area agencies on aging, as well as various public and private organizations.

Nevada Division of Aging Services - Las Vegas, NV $170,000. A collaborative effort with the Division of Aging Services, the Nevada Office of the Attorney General and AARP.

New Mexico State Agency on Aging - Santa Fe, NM $155,000. A collaborative effort of community providers, the Attorney General's Office; the Department of Health; the State Medicaid agency; and the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.

Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging - Cleveland OH $155,000. A collaborative effort with five county departments on aging in Cuyahoga; Geauga; Lake; Lorain; and Medina County.

State of Oklahoma Insurance Department - Oklahoma City, OK $170,000. A collaborative effort 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 Area Agencies on Aging; the Oklahoma Indian Council on Aging; the AARP and the Tulsa County Senior Nutrition Program.

Senior and Disabled Services Division - Salem, OR $170,000. A collaborative effort between 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 $170,000. A collaborative effort with the Puerto Rico Bar Association; various Puerto Rican retired professional organizations; area agencies on aging; senior centers; the University of Puerto Rico; and the School of Medicine Geriatric Center.

Baylor University - Waco, TX $130,000. A collaborative effort between Baylor University, the Institute of Gerontological Studies, the Central Texas Area Agency on Aging, and the Heart of Texas Area Agency on Aging.

The National Hispanic Council on Aging - Corpus Christi, TX $170,000. A collaborative effort with the Centers for Disease Control, the WK Kellogg Foundation, and a National Telemarketing Fraud project administered by the Department of Justice.

Utah Legal Services - Salt Lake City, UT - $110,000. A collaborative effort with the Senior Lawyer Project, local, state and federal agencies and private groups.

Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging - Richmond, VA $160,000. A statewide collaboration with 25 area agencies on aging, local service providers, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, the Virginia Insurance Counseling Assistance Program, and a number of federal and state agencies.

Office of the Insurance Counselor - Olympia, WA $170,000. A collaborative effort with the Statewide Health Benefits Advisors Case Management and Resolution Units in Ellensburg/Spokane and King/Pierce Counties.

Following is the list of continuation grants, the new award amount, and a description of the program:

California Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program Association, San Mateo, CA - $235,000. A collaborative effort with the California ombudsman programs and the California area agencies on aging.

Hawaii Executive Office on Aging, Honolulu, HI - $125,000. A collaborative effort with Maui County Area Agency on Aging, the Moililli Community Center, the American Association of Retired Persons (HI) and the University of Hawaii.

Suburban Area Agency on Aging, Oak Park, IL - $238,000. A collaborative effort with the Illinois Department of Aging, the Northeastern Area Agency on Aging and the Chicago Department on Aging.

Iowa Department of Elder Affairs, Des Moines, IA - $225,000. A collaborative effort with the Iowa Senior Center Coalition and the Hawkeye Valley and Heritage area agencies on aging.

Maryland Department of Aging, Baltimore, MD - $225,000. A collaborative effort with the Maryland Association of Area Agencies on Aging, the Maryland Association of Senior Centers and the Delmarva Foundation.

Minnesota Board on Aging, St Paul, MN - $218,000. A collaborative effort with the Minnesota Attorney General's Office, and the Arrowhead and Southwest District area agencies on aging.

District III Area Agency on Aging, Warrensburg, MO - $145,000. A collaborative effort with the Missouri Division on Aging and the American Association of Retired Persons (MO).

New Hampshire Division of Elderly and Adult Services, Concord, NH - $227,000. A collaborative effort 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 - $250,000. A collaborative effort with the New York State Attorney General's Office, 11 metropolitan area agencies on aging and the New York Association of Senior Centers.

Coalition of Advocates for the Rights of the Infirm Elderly, Philadelphia, PA - $228,000. A collaborative effort with the Albert Einstein Medical Center, the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging and its long term care ombudsman program, the Mayor's Commission and the Executive Service Corps.

Aging 2000 Inc, Providence, RI - $135,000. A collaborative effort with the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office and the Department of Elder Affairs, the long term care ombudsman program and the Senior Health Insurance Program.

Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups, Madison, WI - $160,000. A collaborative effort with the Wisconsin Attorney General's Office and Bureau of Aging and Long Term Care Resources, the Wisconsin Association of Senior Centers, the American Association of Retired Persons (WI), and Wisconsin Retired Educators Association.

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