Senior Center News, April 12, 2019

North Central Senior Citizens Center, April 15-19

Monday — Transportation from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tuesday — Transportation from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; bingo at 1:15 p.m.

Wednesday — Transportation from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m; TOPS at 8 a.m..; Walmart shopping from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Thursday — Transportation from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Great Falls trip at 8 a.m.

Friday — Medical transportation will be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. but people must make a request at least 24 hours in advance.

March Menu by Earlene DeWinter

(Subject to Change)

Monday — Ham and scalloped potatoes, carrots, salad, Poor Man Bars

Tuesday — Roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, broccoli, rolls, peach kuchen

Wednesday — Swiss steak with onion, tomatoes and peppers, garlic mashed potatoes, wax beans, peaches

Thursday — Chicken broccoli casserole, biscuits, salad, bread pudding

Friday — Soup, salad bar, chef’s choice, dessert, milk

Attention All Seniors

Tax aides are here at the Senior Center. Appointments began Feb. 4 and will be scheduled on Mondays and Tuesdays only. Call us at 265-5464 to get your appointment scheduled now.

Special Fraud Watch — Beware of Scams

The Social Security Act prohibits suppliers of Durable Medical Equipment from making unsolicited telephone calls to people on Medicare. Yet Montana Senior Medical Patrol has received multiple reports across Montana of scam calls making the rounds. Not only are they are they making calls but several people have received unordered supplies including back braces. One case alone involves receiving twenty different items from five different companies.

People on Medicare should be aware that DME sent by a supplier needs to be prescribed by their doctor. The centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, are estimating $60 billion in fraudulent Medicare payments each year. Though it may end up being no cost to the person, it is costing Medicare, and until you report it, they will get away with it.

If you receive a call that pressures you to buy medical equipment you don’t want or need please, hang up. Also if you received items in the mail you didn’t order, refuse the delivery or send back the item and report it to your local SMP office at 1-800-551-3191.

A little more information on the Nationwide Brace Scam

The department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General have been working hard and are making some headway. Twenty-four defendants in 17 districts were charged for allegedly participating in the fraudulent schemes. Fraudsters submitted over $1.7 billion in Medicare claims and were paid over $900 million. In this alleged scheme, medical professionals working with fraudulent companies received illegal kickbacks and bribes from medical equipment companies in exchange for prescriptions for medically unnecessary orthotic braces. The equipment companies then used the prescriptions to fraudulently bill Medicare. This enforcement action demonstrates the positive impact OIG is making to fight fraud and protect HHS programs. We must keep fighting any fraud in our area and keep reporting.