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Search          Search Magazine          Search News          Search Radio      Sponsor      RSS Feeds Magazine News Radio Events           News Medicare scams are targeting senior citizens in Louisiana November 19th, 2009 Health care officials are asking citizens in Avoyelles, East Baton Rouge, Caddo, St. Martin and Terrebonne parishes to be on the lookout for health care scams that are targeting senior citizens.   In each case, the alleged fraud has been brought to the attention of the Senior Medicare Patrol, a new program that is a partnership between Louisiana Health Care Review (LHCR), the Senior Health Insurance Program in the Department of Insurance and the Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs. Kicked off this summer, the Senior Medicare Patrol program is the result of a grant from the U.S. Administration on Aging designed to detect fraud in Medicare.   According to LHCR's Julie Mickles, the Senior Medicare Patrol coordinator, the program teaches senior citizens how to detect and report possible scams that defraud government-run health care programs.   "Each case of potential fraud that we are now investigating has been brought to our attention by seniors who rely on Medicare, and who noticed something wrong or suspicious," she said.   Listed below are some of the complaints that are now under investigation.   Terrebonne Parish: Residents of a senior housing unit are receiving "medically unnecessary" dietary supplements that were prescribed for them by a doctor they have never seen. They are having difficulties getting the shipments to stop. Medicare is paying $820 a month and the seniors are not using the supplements.   St. Martin Parish: A home health agency has billed Medicare for several services that were not received by the homebound senior. A caregiver noticed the discrepancies on the senior's Medicare Summary Notice.   East Baton Rouge Parish: A questionable supplier of medical equipment is trying to get into various housing units to offer arthritis and diabetes supplies that will then be billed to Medicare. The company representatives do not tell the patients the name of the company.   Caddo Parish: A physician reports that several of his patients have been harassed by a medical equipment company that continually calls the patients to offer them "free" arthritis equipment they do not need. The "free" equipment is paid for by Medicare.   Avoyelles Parish: A Medicare patient has reported double billing by his doctor and a hospital. The complaint is under review.   When she receives a complaint, Mickles works with various regulatory agencies to determine if any fraud, errors or abuse is present. When appropriate, she reports to the Medicare Program Safety Contractors, the Louisiana Office of the Inspector General's Medicare Fraud Unit or the Louisiana Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.   "In only a few months of work, the Senior Medicare Patrol has reached out and educated hundreds of senior citizens on how to detect possible fraudulent billings, scams and other abuses. The result is we now have a statewide network of people who are acting as the eyes and ears of the Medicare program. With this network, we've developed strong leads to follow, and been given access to the evidence needed that can lead to the arrest and conviction of suspected fraudsters," said Mike Fields, Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General.   If you suspect fraud or a health care-related scam, call 877-272-8720 immediately. To find out more information, go to www.stopmedicarefraudla.org      TBT News >> Heart Disease Awareness Seminar on February 13th >> Website HealthfinderLA.gov gives residents easy access to health information >> 2010 Census employment will not affect the benefits you may be receiving >> Souper-Bowl of Caring to Benefit The Food Bank of NW Louisiana >> 2010 edition of Silver Pages Senior Resource Directory is now available >> Free singing Valentine E-Card for Military members serving overseas >> Glenn Miller Orchestra to perform in Shreveport on February 22nd >> Senior Day at the Louisiana State Fair on November 4th >> Alzheimer's Association Fundraising event on March 13th >> Health Fair to be held on Saturday March 6th >> FREE Glaucoma and other health screenings on February 2nd >> Awards banquet to be held for outstanding achievers in healthcare on February 9th in... >> Dr. David McMillian to be featured speaker at Winning Tuesday on Tuesday, February 9th >> Radio program with Steve Berry, internationally known author is now available >> Black- Tie Bingo fundraising event on February 19th >> Community Living Program is now available to help the elderly in Northwest Louisiana >> Singing Valentines can be delivered to your loved ones >> AARP Defensive Driving and Safety Classes in Shreveport-Bossier City >> Silver Screenings at the Robinson Film Center on February 16th >> Go Red for Women Luncheon on February 18th >> Louisiana Health and Wellness Expo on February 20th in Shreveport >> NW Louisiana Master Gardeners Tour on April 24th and 25th >> Family Fun Zone and Outdoor Expo on February 12th >> Rite Aid Pharmacy Stores offers shingles vaccinations and education >> Monopoly for Meals event to be held on March 27th >> Operation Overseas Mardi Gras -- Packages to our troops >> Focus on Marriage event on February 27th at 8:30 am >> Medicare scams are targeting senior citizens in Louisiana >> 2010 Greek and More Festival to be held May 14th to May 16th >> Ladies A Fair event on Saturday April 10th