Hawaii SHIP and SMP Hawaii: Working Together to Inform and Protect Kūpuna

Aunty Lei thought she had seen every kind of scam. Over the years, she had learned to ignore suspicious phone calls and delete strange emails. But one afternoon, something didn’t feel right.

A package arrived at her home containing medical braces she never ordered. A few days later, her Medicare Summary Notice showed charges for lab tests she didn’t recognize. Confused and concerned, Aunty Lei wasn’t sure where to turn—but then she remembered hearing about SMP Hawaii at her senior center and decided to call.

An SMP counselor listened carefully as Aunty Lei explained what had happened. Together, they reviewed her statements and quickly identified several suspicious charges. The counselor helped her document everything, report the potential fraud, and explained how scammers often target kūpuna by misusing Medicare numbers.

Still, Aunty Lei had questions. Would these false charges affect her Medicare benefits? Could future claims be denied? To help answer these concerns, she was referred to Hawaii SHIP.

A SHIP counselor walked Aunty Lei through her Medicare plan, reviewed her claims, and explained her rights in clear, easy-to-understand terms. She also learned how to read her Medicare statements with confidence, empowering her to spot issues early in the future.

By the end of the process, Aunty Lei felt reassured. She understood that SMP Hawaii protects kūpuna from Medicare fraud and scams, while Hawaii SHIP helps them understand and navigate Medicare coverage and benefits. Most importantly, she realized she didn’t have to face these challenges alone.

How SMP Hawaii and Hawaii SHIP Support Kūpuna

• SMP Hawaii focuses on preventing, detecting, and reporting Medicare fraud, scams, and billing errors.
• Hawaii SHIP provides free, unbiased help with Medicare enrollment, plan comparisons, claims, and coverage questions.

Together, these programs work hand in hand to protect the health, finances, and peace of mind of Hawaiʻi’s kūpuna.

Tips to Protect Yourself

• Never share your Medicare or Social Security number with unexpected callers or messages.
• Review your Medicare Summary Notices and Explanation of Benefits regularly.
• Watch for bills, supplies, or services you didn’t request or don’t recognize.

Contact Information

SMP Hawaii
Website: https://www.smphawaii.org/
Phone: 808-586-7281
Toll Free: 1-800-296-9422

Hawaii SHIP
Website: https://www.hawaiiship.org/
Phone: 808-586-7299
Toll Free: 1-888-875-9229

If something doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts and reach out. Help is free, confidential, and here for you.

Mahalo for taking the time to stay informed and help protect Hawaiʻi’s kūpuna. Education, awareness, and community support are powerful tools—and together, we can make a difference.