WHY OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE THE BEST!
Volunteer Opportunities
The SMP program provides an opportunity for seniors to step up and make an impact in the fight against fraud. The dedicated corps of SMP volunteers makes a difference.
Since 1997 more than 29 million people have been reached during community education events, almost 6 million beneficiaries have been educated and served, and more than 41,000 volunteers have been active. Total savings to Medicare, Medicaid, beneficiaries, and other payers attributed to the SMP projects is $121 million.Total cost avoidance on behalf of the Medicare, Medicaid, beneficiaries, and others is $8.8 million. In 2013, the 54 Senior Medicare Patrol Projects engaged 5,406 volunteers, educated 501,405 beneficiaries in group sessions, and held 148,235 one-on-one counseling sessions.
“The strongest defense against crime is not law enforcement, it is informed citizens,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, at an Administration on Aging-sponsored conference in Washington in August of 2009 during a keynote address to program volunteer coordinators and trainers.
SMP projects recruit and train retired professionals and other senior citizens. These volunteers work in their communities, senior centers and elsewhere to educate Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, family members and caregivers to actively protect themselves against fraudulent, wasteful and abusive health care practices.
SMP Volunteer George Pettey educates beneficiaries about Protect, Detect Report.
Become a Volunteer
Volunteers use their time and experience to help peers protect their identity, read their Medicare Summary Notices and avoid getting taken by scammers. They work one-on-one with beneficiaries, give presentations to groups and represent the SMP at events.
They don’t do it alone. SMPs prepare volunteers for this important work with seminars, personalized help and information they can take home to study.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Group Presentations: Volunteers are needed to present 15 – 30 minute long education sessions to groups of seniors at retirement communities, libraries, Council on Aging events and church gatherings.
Staffing Exhibits/Distributing Info: Volunteers are needed to help distribute educational materials at community health fairs, senior fairs, retirement seminars and the like.
Administration: Volunteers are needed to help with mailings, phone calls and computer data entry.
The future integrity of the health care system depends upon you. Join the effort to help save our precious health care dollars for the care that you may some day need. To volunteer, phone 1-877-272-8720 or email smp@advisewell.org.
RESOURCES FOR VOLUNTEERS
Volunteer Handbook
SMP Volunteer Application Packet
Monthly Report Form
Exhibit Tip Sheet
Volunteer Conducting Educational Presentation-Video