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Archive September 2024
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USAging Member's Senate Testimony Spotlights How SMP and AAAs Curb Scams Impacting Older Adults
- By: USAging
- On: 09/20/2024 10:22:14
- In: Policy & Advocacy
This week, Nancy Gilmer Moore, the Program Director for the Indiana Senior Medicare Patrol at the Indiana Association of Area Agencies on Aging, testified before the Senate Special Committee on Aging, highlighting how AAAs and the Aging Network fight back against scammers and fraudsters who steal from older adults.
Nancy testified on the important work AAAs do through the Senior Medicare Patrol program, in Indiana and nationwide, to educate beneficiaries, caregivers and professionals on how to prevent, detect and report Medicare fraud. She highlighted her program’s work, in partnership with Indiana’s AAAs, including public education about fraud through exhibits at health and senior fairs, individual counseling, and statewide social media updates, resources and television and print media marketing campaigns. She also highlighted the common types of scams encountered by her program, including scams centered around medical braces, diabetic supplies, and phone or email scams.
Susan Whittaker, the Administrative Assistant at Lehigh County Aging and Adult Services, also a USAging member agency, shared personal testimony on how these types of scams impacted her and her late husband. For her full story, you can view a recording of the hearing here.
Nancy testified on the important work AAAs do through the Senior Medicare Patrol program, in Indiana and nationwide, to educate beneficiaries, caregivers and professionals on how to prevent, detect and report Medicare fraud. She highlighted her program’s work, in partnership with Indiana’s AAAs, including public education about fraud through exhibits at health and senior fairs, individual counseling, and statewide social media updates, resources and television and print media marketing campaigns. She also highlighted the common types of scams encountered by her program, including scams centered around medical braces, diabetic supplies, and phone or email scams.
Susan Whittaker, the Administrative Assistant at Lehigh County Aging and Adult Services, also a USAging member agency, shared personal testimony on how these types of scams impacted her and her late husband. For her full story, you can view a recording of the hearing here.
USAging Responds to CMS Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
- By: USAging
- On: 09/13/2024 10:45:54
- In: Policy & Advocacy
While CMS recognized the importance of the direct care workforce, the proposed rule’s restriction on eligible CTS providers to only include “clinically based” professionals is a major limitation. USAging emphasized the expertise of AAAs in providing caregiver education and urged CMS to include them as an eligible CTS provider. USAging also highlighted the many challenges faced by AAAs when contracting with Medicare billing practitioners including the volume of referrals met without pay, price and contract negotiations, the time it takes to establish a contract and others. Overall, USAging recommended CMS to provide AAAs and other CBOs with a clear and leading role in addressing health-related social needs through contracts with Medicare providers.
The final rule will be effective on or after January 1, 2025. If you have any questions about the letter or any other policy matters, please contact your policy team at policy@usaging.org.