Aging and Disability Network of Saratoga County Meeting Minutes- 4/10/18

Aging and Disability Network Meeting 4/10/18

Present: Kym Hance (Herzog Law), Maria Geizer (Home Instead Senior Care), Jess Flynn (Eddy Daybreak ADS), Donna Rudzinski (Shenendehowa Village), Karin Drosdik (Mechanicville Community Center), Kimberly Arnold (Eddy Alzheimer’s Services), Kayla Elder (Mechanicville Senior Center), Concetta Hmura (Saratoga County DSS), Sharon Emerson (CHOICES at St. Peter’s), Jane Kerr Sussman (Saratoga Senior Center), Susanne Bernard (Section 8 Family Self-sufficiency), Kasey Manning (SAIL), Carolyn Crawmer (NY Statewide Senior Action Council), Sarah Frasier (NY Connects-ILCHV), JoAnn Zales (National Grid), Kyla Loucks (Saratoga Senior Center), Denise Yannaci (Saratoga County OFA), Judy Dahoda Taylor (Saratoga County OFA), Ben Nichols (Saratoga County OFA), Mary Rickard (Saratoga County OFA), Rachael Fragomeni (Saratoga County OFA), Patrick Harrington (Saratoga County OFA), Cindy Harrington (Saratoga County OFA).

Introductions and Announcements: The next Aging and Disability Network meeting will take place on Tuesday May 8^th 2pm-330pm at Malta Community Center, 1 Bayberry Drive Ballston Spa. Kym Hance from Herzog Law will be presenting “How to Die the Right Way.”  What are the documents and planning needed in order to live your life to the fullest and not burden your loved ones?

The June Meeting will be held on June 12^th at The Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church, 175 Fifth Avenue, Saratoga Springs. Michael Sprague from the Attorney General’s Office will be presenting on how to spot red flags to avoid common scams, how the scams work, how to keep your identity safe, what to do if your information is compromised, what resources are available to help consumers, and general consumer tips. The presentation helps caregivers by giving them the tools to help those they assist avoid having their money or information stolen, and helps the caregivers keep their own information safe.

Today’s presenter and topic- Sarah Legnard, presenting information from New York Senior Medicare Patrol- their mission, and facts we need to know to help prevent Medicare fraud.

The New York Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is part of a nationwide education and assistance program working to empower seniors and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report Medicare fraud and waste. You can report suspected problems to SMP. Our staff and trained volunteers work to correct errors and report abuse of the Medicare system to government authorities.

The NY Senior Medicare Patrol advises you to Protect, Detect, and Report...

Protect your personal information to shield yourself from identity theft and financial scams. Guard your Medicare card and Social Security card just like your checkbook and credit cards. Don’t carry them with you unless you expect to need them that day. Identity theft can lead to Medicare fraud. 

Detect mistakes or potential fraud in Medicare payments by tracking your medical services in a Personal Health Care Journal and look for:

• Something billed twice
• A service you did not receive
• A medical provider you didn’t see or wasn’t involved in your care

Most Medicare audits are done after payment is made to the medical provider. By reading your Medicare Summary Notice you are in the best position to identify and report errors early. Report by asking your doctor, clinic or hospital to explain the Medicare payment showing on your Medicare Summary Notice. Don’t be shy to ask; you pay for your Medicare coverage and you want the payments to be right! If you aren’t satisfied with the assistance you receive, contact the SMP hotline at 1-877-678-4697.

Starting in April 2018 through April 2019, Medicare recipients will be receiving new Medicare cards! The new cards will NOT have social security numbers on them! All benefits will remain the same and the change will be automatic. However, this rollout will take at least a year, and people will receive their cards at different times.

SCAM ALERT: Scammers posing as Medicare reps will call asking for your current Medicare number and offer to send you a new card. NEVER give your information to anyone over the phone- Medicare will never call you.

For more information on NYSMP, please call 877-678-4697.