Contact Information

Arkansas Insurance Department
Arkansas Senior Medicare Patrol
Kathleen Pursell, Program Director
866-726-2916
Kathleen.Pursell@arkansas.gov
www.ar.gov/SMP

For Immediate Release:
June 1, 2023

Medicare Fraud Prevention Week starts June 5
Everyone can prevent Medicare fraud

Little Rock, Ark. – Fraud costs Medicare an estimated $60 billion per year. It costs Medicare beneficiaries in time, stress, their medical identities, and even their health. It costs families, friends, and caregivers in worry and lost work when helping their loved ones recover from falling victim to Medicare fraud.

“Medicare fraud has a devastating impact on both beneficiaries and the Medicare program,” said Kathleen Pursell, Arkansas Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program director.

“We teach people how to avoid experiencing Medicare fraud,” Pursell said. “By preventing fraud from happening, this program helps individuals and protects the Medicare program for generations to come.”

Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones by joining the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) and their partners for Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, held June 5-11, 2023. The start date is June 5, or “6-5,” because most people become eligible for Medicare when they turn 65 years old. Learn more about Medicare Fraud Prevention Week at www.smpresource.org.

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SMPs help educate and empower Medicare beneficiaries in the fight against health care fraud. Your SMP can help you with your questions, concerns, or complaints about potential fraud and abuse issues. It also provides information and educational presentations.