— Official News Release, Senator Hoeven —
Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Minot State University a grant totaling $226,198.00 for the North Dakota Senior Medicare Patrol, a project to prevent and eliminate Medicare fraud.
“We are working hard to support our seniors, caring for them in their retirement and ensuring the have access to vital programs and services,” Hoeven said. “These grants will help and empower Medicare beneficiaries, their families and their caregivers to prevent fraud and abuse through outreach and education programs.”
Senior Medicare Patrols are grant-funded projects through HHS’s Administration for Community Living / Center for Consumer Access and Self-Determination (CCASD). They primarily work through the following areas:
- Conduct Outreach and Education: Giving presentations and working one-on-one with Medicare beneficiaries
- Engage Volunteers: Senior Medicare Patrols engage more than 5,000 volunteers throughout the country
- Receive Beneficiary Complaints: Senior Medicare Patrols receive complaints from beneficiaries and determine whether or not fraud, errors or abuse is suspected. When fraud and abuse are suspected, they make referrals to the appropriate agency for additional investigation
