Question: I recently got a phone call from someone who said they were from Medicare to talk about my insurance. How can I protect myself from Scammers?

Answer: In response to that particular question, that individual was definitely not from Medicare. Staff from Medicare (Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services- CMS) will not call you ever, unless you have called CMS and they are calling back to address your situation. In that case, you will be expecting the call.

In response to your question, how can you protect yourself from Scammers, I want to talk about an upcoming event that will help with this topic.

NY Statewide Senior Action Council is an organization who works on behalf of those older citizens of New York State. The organization works to help you make insurance decisions, like during annual open enrollment period and at other times as necessary for your situation. The organization helps you work through situations where you are not getting the coverage you deserve or think you need from your insurance. The organization also provides a multitude of other educational opportunities across the state of New York.

Under their umbrella is the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol. The Senior Medicare Patrol works to detect and educate about Medicare Fraud, and Scams. This division works with seniors to protect their Medicare information and understand how to determine if something is going wrong. They also help fight to correct that situation on your behalf.

This week the NY Statewide Senior Action Council, and the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol is teaming up with Chautauqua County Office for the aging to present a Senior Safety Summit. This program will be held on June 21, Friday from 10am to 2pm. This will be held at the Crystal Ballroom in the Hotel Jamestown at 110 West 3rd St. in Jamestown.

There will be organizations there with tables of information and staff to talk with. There will also be speakers on topics related to keeping your financial and health care needs private and safe from Fraud and Scams.

This event will have light refreshments and many organizations that you can work with in a time of crisis related to your financial or medical records. But also organizations that can help you with everyday situations related to safety and privacy.

The Jamestown Police Department, Alzheimer’s Association, Chautauqua County Office for Aging, Center for Elder Law and Justice, NYS Division of Consumer Protection, Social Security Administration and of course, NYS senior Medicare Patrol will all be there with staff and information for you to take home.

You will have an opportunity to listen to speakers and to talk to individuals who work for these organizations to ask questions and review your particular situation.

RSVP’s are not required, but if you wish to get more information and clarify any questions about the event, please contact Tiffany Erhard at 800-333-4374.

Friday June 21st from 10am to 2pm, the place to be is the Crystal Ballroom to learn all you need to know about protecting yourself and your information from Fraud and Scams.

I hope to see you there!

Janell Sluga is a Geriatric Care Manager helping seniors in our community access services and insurance. To reach her, please email editorial@post-journal.com.