About

1. Outreach and Education. SMPs give presentations to groups, exhibit at events, and work one-on-one with Medicare beneficiaries.  Groups and individuals can request an SMP representative to provide a small or large group presentation. SMP reps will provide materials and give-a-ways appropriate for the event. SMPs will also seek sponsor tables at fairs, conferences and other outreach events to help spread the word about Medicare fraud. To request an SMP rep to speak to your group or attend your event, complete the form on our Contact Page.

2. Volunteers. Protecting older persons’ health, finances, and medical identity while saving precious Medicare dollars is a cause that attracts civic-minded Americans. SMP Volunteers have a desire to connect with others and help in the fight against Medicare fraud. Volunteers are equipped with the information and training needed to represent the SMP at various levels. Follow this link to our Volunteer page to learn more about being an SMP Volunteer.

3. Beneficiary Complaints. When Medicare beneficiaries, caregivers, and family members bring their complaints to the SMP, the SMP makes a determination about whether or not fraud, errors, or abuse is suspected. When fraud or abuse is suspected, they make referrals to the appropriate state and federal agencies for further investigation. If you suspect that you or a loved one has been a victim of fraud or abuse or if you know of suspicious medicare activity, call the SMP Toll-Free Hotline: 1-800-938-8885

History

SMPs are discretionary grant projects funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL). ACL is headed by the Assistant Secretary on Aging, who is appointed by the president and serves under the U.S. Secretary for Health and Human Services. Every three years, ACL issues a new request for proposals for the SMP program and then competitively awards grants to a selected project in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

• The SMP program as we know it today was made possible by the 1997 Omnibus Consolidation Appropriation Act – legislation that formally supported enlisting seniors in the fight against Medicare fraud. 
• Since its inception in 1997, the SMP program has evolved from 12 regional demonstration projects to a nationwide program that serves every state, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Washington, D.C. 
• The SMPs have been supported by an ACL-funded national resource center since 2003.  The national SMP Resource Center provides this website about the SMP program and also provides direct technical assistance to the 54 SMP projects nationwide. To learn more about the Center, click here.