Fraud Alert - Illinois Senior Medicare Patrol
March 22nd, 2021
Cook County Health Text Message About Vaccine Causes Confusion but is Real
A text message from Cook County Health has caused some confusion among people who have already received their first dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine.

The text message in question asked that the recipient “email a photo of the CDC vaccination card that was provided,” and said if they didn’t do so in the next two days, the county would ”unfortunately, have to cancel their second dose appointment.”

Cook County Health did confirm that these text messages are in fact real and the recipient would need to provide their vaccination record. Cook County Health’s vaccination sites represent only 16 of the hundreds of vaccination sites across Cook County.

You can read the whole story from CBS 2 Chicago here.

One takeaway from this story is that it is very important to understand if you need a second vaccination shot, when that will be given and how you will know what to bring to that second vaccination shot. As with any healthcare matter, ask questions, including how a vaccination site will communicate with you.
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Upcoming AgeOptions SMP Outreach Events
Olympia Fields Park District
Types of Medicare Fraud – March 23 at 1:30 p.m.
Tips to Prevent Medicare Fraud – March 30 at 1:30 p.m.
Phone Number: 312-626-6799
Meeting ID: 982 8248 9660#

Elderwerks 
Senior Medicare Patrol Basics - March 24 at 1:30 p.m.

EZRA Jewish Foundation – SMP Workshop Series 
SMP Basics – March 25 at 1:00 p.m.
Phone Number: 312-626-6799  
Meeting ID: 920 4275 3898#

Stickney Township – SMP Workshop Series
SMP Basics – April 1 at 11 a.m.
Phone Number: 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 950 6246 3300#
 
Latino Alzheimer’s Memory Disorder Alliance 
Tipos de Fraude – 25 de Marzo a las 2:00 p.m.
Como Prevenir Fraud – 1 de Abril a las 2:00 p.m.
Por Telefono: 312-626-6799
Clave: 934 8991 7485#

Libreria Publica de Bensenville
Conceptos Basicos de SMP y Medicare 101 - 25 de Marzo a las 7:00 pm. 
Por telefono: 312-626-6799   
Meeting ID: 922 6862 6107#
Have a safe and healthy week!

Travis Trumitch
travis.trumitch@ageoptions.org
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This project was supported, in part by grant number 90MPPG0036, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.
The Illinois SMP at AgeOptions partners with agencies across the state to empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse through outreach, counseling, and education.

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