State, lawyers partner to prevent elderly fraud

MONTGOMERY (AP) —
In a first-of-its-kind partner-ship, Gov. Bob Riley’s administration and a plaintiff lawyers’ group are teaming up to provide kits aimed at protecting Alabama’s elderly from Medicare fraud.

The toolkits remind the elderly to ask questions of anyone promoting health care plans and take time to make decisions.

There are also explanations of red flags to look for and numbers to call to report suspected fraud.

The state Department of Senior Services will distribute 100,000 of the Medicare Protection Toolkits during October through senior citizen centers and Meals on Wheels programs and to persons calling the department at (877) 425-2243.

The distribution precedes the period from Nov. 15 to Dec. 31 when the elderly can change their Medicare Advantage health plans and Medicare prescription drug plans, said Irene Collins, Riley’s appointee to run the Department of Senior Services.

Riley unveiled the toolkits Monday at a news conference with Collins and others.

“This would not have been possible without the donation
of $75,000 from the Alabama Association for Justice,” Riley said.

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