RALEIGH – North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is highlighting the importance of the public protecting themselves against acts of Medicare fraud. 

Criminal acts of fraud costs Medicare an estimated $60 billion per year and costs Medicare beneficiaries valuable time, stress, their medical identities, and even their health. It costs families, friends, and caregivers worry and lost work when helping their loved ones recover from falling victim to Medicare fraud.

“Medicare fraud has a devastating impact on both beneficiaries and the Medicare program,” said NC Department of Insurance Commissioner, Mike Causey. “Medicare beneficiaries and Seniors in North Carolina are encouraged to protect, detect and report suspected fraud, errors, and abuse.

Our NCSMP program teaches people how to avoid experiencing Medicare fraud. By preventing fraud from happening, this program helps individuals and protects the Medicare program for generations to come.”

The North Carolina Senior Medicare Patrol (NCSMP) Program is housed within the Seniors’Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) at the North Carolina Department of Insurance. SMPs help educate and empower Medicare beneficiaries in the fight against healthcare fraud. Your SMP can help you with questions, concerns, or complaints about potential fraud and abuse issues. It also provides information and educational presentations.

Learn more about Medicare Fraud Prevention Week or to speak with a trained SHIIP counselor about Medicare or Medicare fraud, please contact the N.C. Cooeprative Extension, Currituck County Center at 252-232-2261. You can also email Sheila Gregory at sheila_gregory@ncsu.edu.