Fraud and Abuse and Errors, Oh My!
It’s one of those ubiquitous 2:00 a.m. TV advertisements for knee braces. The announcer says they’ll do all the work and even bill Medicare for you, worry-free. But before you hit that “place in cart” button, think twice, and remember: never give your Medicare number to anyone other than your healthcare provider.
The 2:00 a.m. knee brace scenario has the potential for being a set-up for Medicare fraud. Medicare, and Medicare beneficiaries, are seeing upwards of $80 billion dollars lost annually to Medicare fraud and abuse. The knee brace supplier in the TV ad may contribute to this fraud by sending a sub-standard piece of equipment, meanwhile charging Medicare for a higher-end product. The company may continue to send the inferior equipment long after you require it, billing Medicare every time.
Senior Medicare Patrols (SMPs), through community outreach, pursue their mission to educate Medicare beneficiaries, families, and caregivers on protecting, detecting, and reporting potential or suspected Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse. SMP staff provide one-on-one consultations, and group and community outreach and presentations.
To set up a 30-minute presentation or learn more, or to volunteer with Delaware’s Senior Medicare Patrol, call Mary Anne Bonafair, SMP Outreach and Education Coordinator, at 302-424-8657, or email her at: MaryAnne.Bonafair@delaware.gov. ▼
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Weekend Celebration
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Organization, Sussex County, Inc. announces the 35th Annual Commemorative Weekend Celebration in honor of the late civil rights leader, January 14-16, 2023.
The theme for the weekend is “Let Justice Roll Down Like Water.” A banquet will be held on Saturday, January 14, beginning at 4:30 p.m., at the CHEER Center, 20520 Sand Hill Road, Georgetown, Delaware. The price for the banquet is $50 for adults and $25 for children age 15 and under. Deadline to reserve tickets is December 30, 2022. For ticket sales or additional information, please call Don Peterson at 703-963-1871, or email mlkcelebration@gmail.com.
On Monday, January 16, the annual Holiday Community Worship Service begins at 10:00 a.m., at Trinity Faith Christian Center, 15516 New Road, Lewes. For additional Monday Holiday Worship information, call Janie Miller at 302-227-3118. ▼
BSD Grand Opening
BSD celebrated the Grand Opening of their new Rehoboth showroom with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, November 3. ▼