Illinois SMP Fraud Alert May 10, 2022

Opioid Epidemic Hits Beneficiaries Hard Too

Five years ago, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid epidemic a nationwide public health crisis. According to the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Medicare beneficiaries have among the highest and fast-growing rates of diagnosed opioid abuse. You can read more from ACL on this topic here. While opioids can be useful in treating acute pain when prescribed and properly monitored by a doctor, they can be highly addictive with use over a long period of time.

Our colleagues at the California SMP created these signs of opioid fraud and abuse. Remember opioid fraud and abuse occurs when:

Medicare beneficiaries are over-prescribed medications.
Pharmacies are involved in drug diversion which is a transfer of any legally prescribed controlled substance from the individual for whom it was prescribed to another person for any illicit use.
Medicare is billed for medications not prescribed.
Medicare is billed for medications not received.

Protect yourself and others by:

Discussing non-opioid alternatives for treating chronic pain with your provider.
Properly disposing of opioid medications after treatment is finished. Most opioids can be flushed down the toilet and there are local drug take back locations to dispose of unused medications.
To prevent misuse and abuse, do not share your prescription drugs with others.

The Illinois SMP is here to offer assistance if you feel your Medicare number has been affected in a fraud scheme related to opioid diversion, please call the Illinois SMP at AgeOptions at (800)699-6043.

Please visit www.illinoissmp.org to download the tip sheet above and all of our other tip sheets to help prevent Medicare fraud.

As noted in our last fraud alert, the “new” Medicare card scam has resurfaced as a frequent call to the SMP Hotline.

On April 28th, Illinois Department on Aging SHIP Director Sandy Leith and Illinois Senior Medicare Patrol Director Travis Trumitch were interviewed about the new Medicare card scam. This interview was distributed to radio stations across the state. You can listen to the full interview here.

If you or someone you know has a been a victim of a potential Medicare card scam, please call the Illinois SMP Hotline at (800)699-9043.

May and June 2022 Workshops

In-Person Only

May 10^th at 10:00 am – SMP Basics

Plymouth Place - Dole Hall 15 N La Grange Rd, La Grange Park, IL 60526

May 12^th at 10:30 am - Spanish SMP – Types of Medicare Fraud

Mt Carmel Church Meal Site 1101 23rd Ave, Melrose Park, IL 60160

May 14^th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm – Summit Public Library District Health Fair

6233 S Archer Rd, Summit, IL 60501

May 20^thfrom 10:00 am 12:00 pm – Copernicus Center CDFSS Health Fair

5216 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60630

May 25^th at 1:30 pm– SMP Basics

Maywood Park District 921 S 9th Ave, Maywood, IL 60153

May 26^th at 11:30 am – SMP basics

Markham City Hall Building, 16310 S. Kedzie, Markham IL 60428

June 2^nd at 11:00 am – Spanish SMP Basics

Nuevo Despertar 1820 S 51st Ave, Cicero, IL 60804

Hybrid (Zoom and in-person options)

May 6^th at 10:00 am - SMP basics

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81491217838

In person: Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library 3541 Park Ave, Brookfield, IL 60513

June 3^rd at 10:00 am – SMP How to read your Medicare Summary Notice

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81491217838

In person: Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library 3541 Park Ave, Brookfield, IL 60513

Zoom Only

May 18^th at 10:00 am – Tips to Prevent Medicare Fraud

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87493062812

Phone Number: 312-626-6799 Meeting ID: 874 930 628 12#

May 17^th at 1:00 pm – Tips to Prevent Medicare Fraud

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89378826009

May 24^th at 11:00 am – SMP basics

https://zoom.us/j/96661294106

May 19^th at 6:30 PM – SMP Tips to Prevent Medicare Fraud

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84316368939

Phone Number: 312-626-6799 Meeting ID: 843 163 689 39#

May 26^th at 2:00 pm – Spanish SMP basics

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwocu6vrT0iH9WFz2JSaB9234pPZ8CvE47t Password: awn123 Meeting ID: 885 5773 6851#

Have a wonderful week!

Travis Trumitch

travis.trumitch@ageoptions.org

Please share this Fraud Alert with colleagues, consumers, or other professionals in your area. If you would like to sign up to receive the Fraud Alert directly, visit click here.

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.

Please share this Fraud Alert with colleagues, consumers, or other professionals in your area and visit our website to sign up for our Fraud Alert email list.

Share this Fraud Alert with your social networks:

Share This Email