When Aunty Lei’s Medicare Summary Notice showed lab test charges she didn’t recognize, she called SMP Hawai‘i, a volunteer-based federal program that helps prevent Medicare fraud through education. The counselor helped her report the fraud, document each detail and understand how scammers target kūpuna through their Medicare numbers.
But Aunty Lei also wondered if these false charges would affect her benefits and future claims, so she was referred to Hawai‘i State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). SHIP offers free, confidential and unbiased counseling, outreach and education to help Medicare beneficiaries make informed decisions about their health coverage. A SHIP counselor helped review her Medicare plan and check her claims, and also taught her how to read her statements and understand her rights.
SMP protected her from fraud, while SHIP helped her understand and resolve Medicare issues.
Protect yourself:
❶ Never share your Medicare or Social Security number with unexpected callers;
❷ Review your Medicare Summary Notices and Explanation of Benefits regularly and
❸ Watch for bills, supplies or services you didn’t request.
SMP HAWAIʻI & HAWAIʻI SHIP
250 South Hotel St., Ste. 406, Honolulu, HI 96813
SMP HAWAIʻI
808-586-7281 | 1-800-296-9422 | smphawaii.org
HAWAIʻI SHIP
808-586-7299 | 1-888-875-9229 | hawaiiship.org
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