Older Americans are victims of fraud more often than people realize, especially Hispanics.
That's why the National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA) is working with the Administration on Aging (AoA) to crack down on Medicare fraud, which costs taxpayers $60 billion annually.
This insidious fraud includes billing for services already paid and charging for services, tests or equipment that weren't provided.
Medicare fraud is one of the most serious problems facing older Hispanics, who often don't recognize it or know how to report it. It drains money from a vulnerable population that should go to food, housing and legitimate health-care expenses.
Hispanics become victims of fraud most often by salespeople making unsolicited home visits or phone calls, forcing them to make an immediate decision, selling Medicare plans that don't fit their specific needs and conning them into providing their Medicare card and signing documents they don't understand.
The AoA advises older Americans to protect their Medicare number as they would their Social Security number and not to provide it in exchange for free meals, prizes or free medical equipment or services.
One of the biggest challenges is reaching older Hispanics, the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population, and educating them on Medicare fraud. For more than 30 years, NHCOA has been successfully reaching out to Hispanic older adults through its network of affiliates across the country in ways that are culturally, linguistically and age appropriate.
Our affiliate groups see the issue first hand. "These older adults are isolated. They don't understand the problem. They know they have been victims of fraud when they get the bill," said Mr. Jose Perez, executive director of Senior Community Outreach Services, an NHCOA affiliate organization implementing the National Hispanic SMP program in the Rio Grande Valley.
The biggest challenges Hispanic older adults face regarding Medicare fraud include language, fear and culture. They lack information that is in Spanish, easy to understand and age sensitive.
The National Hispanic SMP is an innovative program that educates Hispanics on Medicare fraud. It aims to reach and serve the hard-to-reach older Hispanic adults through community-based programs, focusing on Medicare fraud prevention, detection and reporting.
At least 3 percent of the $2 trillion U.S. taxpayers spend on health care a year are lost to fraud. There's enormous savings potential in reaching out to Hispanics.
NHCOA has developed a portal on its Web site that provides resources on empowering Hispanics to combat Medicare fraud and has a toll-free line (1-866-488-7379 to answer questions from community-based organizations wanting to educate Hispanic seniors on how to prevent Medicare fraud.
NHCOA also is producing three radio PSAs in Spanish on Medicare fraud.
For more information, go to www.elpasotimes.com, click on Opinion and then go to the NHCOA link.
This costly issue will grow as more baby boomers turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare. The National Hispanic SMP needs volunteers to help empower Hispanics to combat Medicare fraud. Join us.
Dr. Yanira Cruz is president and CEO, NHCOA. NHCOA is the premier national organization dedicated to understanding the needs and securing the well-being of Hispanic older adults and their caregivers, the fastest-growing segment in the U.S. population.
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