FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2026
For more information, contact:
- Catherina Isidro, CHA Executive Director and SMP Statewide Director, 916-465-8104, cisidro@cahealthadvocates.org
- Karen Joy Fletcher, Communications Director, 916-465-8104, kfletcher@cahealthadvocates.org
Senior Medicare Patrol Marks 5th Annual Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, June 1–5
Sacramento, CA — Fraud costs Medicare an estimated $60–80 billion per year. It costs beneficiaries their time, peace of mind, medical identities, and sometimes even their health, especially with the rise of hospice fraud.
This year, California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) joins SMPs across the country for the 5th Annual Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, June 1–5, 2026. The observance runs through 6/5 — or “6-5” — because most people become eligible for Medicare when they turn 65, and it focuses on the actions everyone can take to prevent Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse.
“Medicare fraud is not an abstract problem — it is happening in our communities every day, and it has real, devastating consequences for people,” said Catherina Isidro, California SMP Statewide Director and Executive Director of California Health Advocates. “This year, California SMP continues to be on the front lines — attending a recent Congressional hearing on Medicare fraud, meeting with federal officials, and working alongside state and federal agencies and community partners to address the hospice fraud crisis that has put many California seniors at risk. Medicare Fraud Prevention Week is our opportunity to educate Californians of all ages and to empower each person to be part of the solution.”
California SMP – On the Front Lines
Over the past year, California SMP has been even more visible in the national conversation about Medicare fraud:
- Attended at Congressional testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee on “Protecting Patients and Taxpayers: Cracking Down on Medicare Fraud.”
- Met with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Administration for Community Living leadership in Washington, D.C.
- Quoted extensively in national and state media including the New York Times and CalMatters on California’s hospice fraud crisis
- On-the-ground case work disenrolling beneficiaries from fraudulent hospice services and restoring their Medicare coverage within a day or two
California, and Los Angeles in particular, has seen explosive growth in fraudulent hospice agencies — including reports of a more than 1,500% increase in hospice agencies in LA County over one decade. Fraudsters steal Medicare numbers, create sham agencies, and bill Medicare for services never provided — oftentimes leaving beneficiaries locked out of the care they urgently need.
How Everyone Can Help During Medicare Fraud Prevention Week
Medicare fraud affects everyone — and everyone can be part of the solution:
Medicare beneficiaries can monitor their Medicare Summary Notices and insurance statements to verify that services and products listed match what they actually received. Note: Medicare now mails paper statements just twice a year. Because of this, it is more important than ever for beneficiaries to create a free Medicare.gov account to review claims online each month. Beneficiaries can also request a free My Health Care Tracker from California SMP.
Families and caregivers can help by watching for unsolicited medical equipment — such as boxes of knee braces or other durable medical equipment — that may arrive without the beneficiary’s or their doctor’s approval. They can help loved ones create a Medicare.gov account, review statements regularly, and register phone numbers on “do not call” lists at donotcall.gov and opt out of mailings at optoutprescreen.com.
Health care providers can talk to patients about common scams including hospice fraud, genetic testing schemes, and durable medical equipment fraud — reminding patients that needed medical items should only be ordered by their own treating physician, never through TV ads or unsolicited calls or door-to-door solicitations.
Partners and community organizations can share SMP information on social media, refer clients to California SMP, and invite SMP to present at community events.
Community members can look out for older neighbors, watch for red flags, such as being aware of older adults purchasing large amounts of gift cards — a common sign of scam activity — and encourage those they know to call California SMP with any Medicare questions or concerns. Community members can also consider volunteering with California SMP.
Join Us: Free Webinar on June 3
During Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, California SMP is hosting a free public webinar:
📣 “Medicare Fraud in California: What Scams Are ‘Hot’ & How You Can Help Prevent Fraud” 📅 Wednesday, June 3, 2026 | 10:00 AM Pacific Time
Meet the California SMP team, hear about current fraud cases, and get practical tips to protect yourself, your clients, and your loved ones. Learn about Medicare Fraud Prevention Week and how you can join the movement.
About California Senior Medicare Patrol
California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is here to provide you with the information you need to PREVENT Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse; DETECT potential fraud, errors, and abuse; and REPORT your concerns. Our SMP, and SMPs in every state across the country, educates and empowers people in the fight against health care fraud and can help with questions, concerns, or complaints about potential fraud and abuse issues. We provide free educational presentations and have a wide range of free educational materials available in multiple languages.
To report suspected Medicare fraud or to request a free presentation, call California SMP at 1-855-613-7080 or visit californiasmp.org.
# # #
California Health Advocates is an independent nonprofit organization providing accurate and timely Medicare information, education, and policy advocacy. CHA is the grantee of the California Senior Medicare Patrol project, funded by the Administration for Community Living. CHA also supports the 24 local HICAP programs that provide free, unbiased Medicare counseling to beneficiaries and their families throughout California. Visit cahealthadvocates.org.
