What is Senior Medicare Patrol?
Senior Medicare Patrol, usually shortened to SMP, is a free federally funded program with a team in every state that helps people with Medicare read their statements, spot charges for care they never received, and report suspected fraud, errors and abuse.
What this means
- An SMP volunteer will go through your Medicare Summary Notice or your plan's explanation of benefits line by line with you.
- Common problems they catch are charges for equipment never delivered, appointments that did not happen, and genetic test kits mailed to your door.
- Reporting a suspicious charge is not an accusation, and it does not put your Medicare coverage at risk.
- SMP is separate from SHIP counseling, though the two often share an office.
What to do first
- Find your state's Senior Medicare Patrol through the national SMP locator and call them.
- Keep a simple calendar of your appointments and any equipment you receive, so you can compare it to your statements.
- Never give your Medicare number to someone who calls you out of the blue offering free braces, test kits or supplies.
Senior Medicare Patrol: Fraud and Billing Errors
Free help reading your Medicare statements and reporting charges for things you never received.
What you'll need
- Notes about the call or offer if you are reporting a scam
- Your Medicare Summary Notices or Explanation of Benefits
Deadlines and timing
- Report a suspicious charge as soon as you notice it, because refunds and corrections get harder as time passes.
- Medicare will never call to ask for your Medicare number or bank details.
Where to go
- Senior Medicare Patrol: Fraud and Billing Errors: https://smpresource.org/locator/
Reviewed by Jason Burns, Editorial Steward · Last verified August 25, 2026
Sources
- Senior Medicare Patrol · SMP National Resource Center
Every program on this site is free to apply for. Anyone who asks you to pay to apply, or to “unlock” a government benefit, is a scam — hang up and call Senior Medicare Patrol or 211.
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