SMP Hawaii is a volunteer-based federal program administered under the Hawaii State Department of Health – Executive Office on Aging (EOA), the state designated lead agency for the coordination of aging initiatives. We collaborate with a network of partners and advocates to expand outreach and assistance to communities statewide.
U.S. Congress established the Senior Medicare Patrol in 1997 to protect older adults from Medicare fraud. SMP Hawaii is one of 54 programs nationwide funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL).
SMP Hawaii increases public awareness about the resulting economic and health-related consequences because of Medicare fraud, errors and abuse. SMP Hawaii works to resolve beneficiary complaints of potential healthcare fraud in collaboration with state and federal partners, including the U. S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Hawaii State Department of the Attorney General (AG), Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and Hawaii State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA).
We educate beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to be more aware of fraudulent activities and recent scams that specifically target vulnerable older adults. Our vision is to protect Kupuna from becoming victims and to help them to safeguard their money, assets and ultimately, their legacy.
Since the program began in 1997, many priceless volunteers have tirelessly contributed over 550,000 hours, worth $14.9 million to the overall success of SMP Hawaii today. Learn how to become a volunteer here.