Published in RINewsToday on June 8, 2026
As skyrocketing Medicare fraud schemes cost taxpayers billions each year, congressional leaders, federal agencies, and consumer advocacy groups intensify their efforts to combat aggressive scams targeting older Americans.
Experts estimate that Medicare fraud, waste, and abuse may cost as much as $60 billion annually. However, no federal agency publishes a definitive total amount because much of the activity goes undetected.
The growing incidents of Medicare fraud, waste, and abuse framed the discussion on June 3, 2026, at the Leon Mathieu Senior Center in Pawtucket, where more than 40 older adults gathered for the Fifth Annual Medicare Fraud Prevention Week event.
During the 75-minute presentation, three federal officials shared valuable information with the attending Medicare beneficiaries, designed to increase their awareness of fraud tactics and equip them with practical strategies to safeguard their personal and health care benefits.
The afternoon program was hosted by Rhode Island’s Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), along with special agents from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and the City of Pawtucket.
At the gathering, municipal, state, and federal leaders warned that Medicare recipients remain primary targets of fraudsters who use fake medical claims and identity theft. Specific types of fraud were highlighted, including durable medical equipment (orthotic braces, urinary catheters), genetic testing, and fraudulent billing by medical providers.
Learning to Spot the Warning Signs
Christine Anderson, Health Information Manager at the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging (OHA) and the leader of the state’s SMP program, said the program’s goal is to provide beneficiaries with practical tools to protect themselves and encourage them to be more proactive in reporting suspicious fraud activity, potentially reducing the success rate of scams within Rhode Island.
Anderson emphasized that scammers will often pose as representatives of Medicare, Social Security, or local human services offices to obtain or confirm Medicare numbers, which can be used to bill for unnecessary durable medical equipment such as back or knee braces.
SMP’s Program Manager urged attendees to review their Medicare Summary Notices (for Original Medicare) or their Explanation of Medical Benefits (EOMB), and to seek assistance from the SMP program and the Leon Mathieu Senior Center (or their local senior center) if they see unfamiliar charges.
“If something doesn’t look right, ask questions,” Anderson urged.
“We are grateful to the OHA, HHS-OIG, CMS, and the SMP for bringing this important information directly to our residents,” Donald R. Grebien, Mayor of Pawtucket said. “Education and awareness are critical in protecting older adults and preserving the integrity of the Medicare system.” It is one of the strongest defenses against scams targeting older residents,’ he says. Grebien pointed out that fraud can threaten both the financial security and well-being of seniors.
Echoing Grebien’s sentiment, Elizabeth Moreira, Pawtucket’s Deputy Director of Administration, said community education is key, stressing that awareness of the growing prevalence of scams is one of our strongest tools for preventing fraud. “Events like today give our community and caregivers the tools they need to recognize warning signs, protect their personal information, and report fraud before it can harm them,” Moreira said.
Federal Enforcement Efforts
HHS-OIG Special Agent Victoria Mens and Assistant Special Agent Lindsay Walford described their federal agency’s role in investigating fraud, waste, and abuse across more than 100 HHS programs, including health, social, and Medicare and Medicaid programs.
The federal agents also explained how they fight Medicare fraud, waste, and abuse.
They highlighted how the Office of Audit Services and the Office of Evaluation and Inspections publish reports on systemic problems including nursing homes lacking emergency power and using antipsychotic drugs to control residents.
To safeguard $2 trillion in federal healthcare funds, HHS-OIG conducts audits, evaluations, and criminal investigations.
The federal officials also cited prosecutions involving overbilling for medical equipment, large-scale catheter fraud schemes, and psychiatric billing for services that were never provided.
One of the most costly schemes involving urinary catheters was estimated to have resulted in attempted losses of about $4.5 billion, notes Walford.
During the presentation, Walford cited a Rhode Island case. She noted that Zynex Medical allegedly overbilled multiple payers about $873 million for TENS units and excessive supplies, leading to criminal charges against company leaders and a non-prosecution agreement with the company.
“A lot of that has been stopped, and so that money hasn’t all gone out, but that’s the tune and counting as to how much they’re attempting to pull out of the Medicare Trust Fund,” Walford said. She gave an overview of HHS-OIG accomplishments. Between April and September 2025, OIG work led to $2.2 billion in recoveries through settlements and criminal restitution. The agency said it returns nearly $13 for every dollar spent on oversight.
During the same period, investigators completed more than 900 investigations and issued hundreds of recommendations to prevent improper payments, says Walford.
Protecting Yourself
Mens urged seniors to treat their Medicare number with the same care as a Social Security number. “Don’t give out that information,” she warns. “If someone calls claiming to be from Medicare or says they are your healthcare provider, hang up and call back using a number you know is legitimate,” she says.
“Scammers rely on urgency,” Mens said. “Take time to talk with a family member, Medicare representative, or healthcare professional before making any decisions,” she says.
Jennifer Syria, Regional Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, pointed out that beneficiaries play a critical role in preventing fraud. “When you review your statements and notice unfamiliar charges, you become a valuable investigator in preventing fraud,” Syria said.
Syria encouraged residents to report suspected fraud and have key details ready, including provider names, dates of service, payment amounts, and Medicare Summary Notices.
“If you suspect you are a victim of fraud, our trained staff can meet with you to help resolve the issue,” says Mary Lou Moran, Director of the Leon Mathieu Senior Center. If you need assistance, call 401-728-7582. Moran notes that protecting yourself comes down to three key actions: prevent, detect, and report.
For more details about Rhode Island’s Senior Medicare Patrol program, call (401) 1-888-884-8721.
Monthly Archives for June 2026
The Rhode Island Congressman Who Changed Aging in America
Published in RINewsToday on June 1, 2026
Over three weeks ago, the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island (SACRI) organized a statewide gathering at the historic Rhode Island State House to observe this year’s Older Americans Month (OAM). The event brought together more than 135 attendees, including seniors, aging advocates, legislators, and state officials, filling the room to capacity.
During the 74-minute program, speakers addressed topics such as combating social isolation, increasing federal funding for community-based aging services, alerting attendees to financial scams targeting seniors, and discussing new models for elder care and housing. The event concluded with a reading of a gubernatorial proclamation honoring the Older Americans Act (OAA) and calling on Rhode Island lawmakers to support policies for the growing older adult community.
The event also focused on promoting the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the federal agency that administers the OAA, and this year’s OAM theme: “Champion Your Health.” This theme encourages prevention, wellness, self-advocacy, and personal responsibility as key elements of healthy aging.
At the event, SACRI Executive Director Carol Anne Costa announced that the Rhode Island State House Dome would be illuminated from May 13–16 as a tribute to Older Americans Month.
Beyond marking the month, this year’s celebration also centered on the legacy of former Rep. John E. Fogarty (D-RI), the primary sponsor of the legislation (Public Law 89-73) that established the Older Americans Act (OAA). He lived on a small family farm in the village of Harmony (part of Gloucester), Rhode Island.
A Rhode Island Congressman’s Legacy Recognized
Affectionately nicknamed “Mr. Public Health,” Fogarty became one of the most powerful House lawmakers. He served in Congress from 1941 until his death in 1967. A former bricklayer and president of Bricklayers Union No. 1 of Rhode Island, he chaired the powerful House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Education, and Welfare. He used his legislative skills to expand the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and transform federal healthcare funding. He was also instrumental in establishing the White House Conference on Aging and the OAA.
At SACRI’s May 6 event, Lt. Governor Sabina Matos praised Fogarty for his major impact on federal aging policy. “Older Americans Month gives us the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to older adult Rhode Islanders. It is a true honor to join SACRI in celebrating the enduring legacy of Congressman John Fogarty, whose vision helped shape aging policy for generations. Today, we build on that legacy by continuing to champion the dignity, well-being, and contributions of every older Rhode Islander,” says the Lt. Governor.
SACRI’s Costa stated, “Congressman Fogarty has left a legacy on which so much progress has flowed. His quiet and powerful work is a reminder that RI is a leader in empowering older adults.”
Former Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty came to share personal memories of Fogarty, his uncle. He stressed that his uncle’s work on the OAA was driven by a simple philosophy: the government’s role was to help people. His success was built on personal connections with constituents in Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District.
“As Rhode Island’s population ages rapidly, my late uncle, Rep. John E. Fogarty, remains a powerful example of how we can protect the dignity and independence of older Rhode Islanders. The Older Americans Act, which he championed, continues to support vital programs for seniors across Rhode Island and the nation, says the former Lt. Gov.
Fogarty, a former Director of the Division of Elderly Affairs within the Department of Human Services from 2015 to 2018, added, “The Congressman’s legacy shaped my own work as Director of the Division of Elderly Affairs, now the Office of Healthy Aging. “I have focused on advancing efforts to empower and serve older adults,” he says.
Seven years before the 1965 Older Americans Act (OAA), Fogarty introduced legislation (H.R. 9822) to create the White House Conference on Aging. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill into law (Public Law 85-908) on September 2, 1958. The law established a national forum held every 10 years to address the challenges facing older Americans. The forum also developed policy recommendations to improve their economic security.
According to the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the 1961 White House Conference on Aging (WHCoA) exposed a broken, patchwork system of elder care. It served as the blueprint for the 1965 Older Americans Act. The conference pushed Congress to move away from old “welfare” models and build a community-focused support network for all older adults. In the end, this paved the way for the creation of the Administration on Aging.
Two Times is the Charm
“According to an online article, “AARP Fights for Older Americans Act in 1965,” published on Sept. 28, 2024, on AARP’s website, the organization played a key role in pushing for the passage of Fogarty’s OAA legislative proposal. Building support for the Congressional passage of the OAA became AARP’s key legislative priority from 1961 to 1965, as noted. In that article, Ernest Gidding, AARP’s legislative representative, said, “The bill meets the major organizational recommendations of the WHCoA and overcomes the present welfare stigma of aging.”
However, Fogarty and Sen. Patrick V. McNamara (D-MI) failed to pass their initial OAA proposal in both chambers on the first try. Lawmakers had begun efforts to pass their legislative proposals (H.R. 7957/S. 2000) in 1963. While this initial attempt stalled and the legislative proposal died in session, it got the whole country talking about how we treat older Americans, planting the seeds for a major comeback.
Two years later, Fogarty would try again. This time, the bill gained unstoppable momentum. During the 89th Congress, logs show the proposal cleared the House Committee on Education and Labor on March 9, 1965, and passed the House on March 31 by an overwhelming 395-to-1 vote. After the Senate passed it on May 27 and the House accepted a minor Senate amendment on July 6, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Public Law 89-73 on July 14, 1965, in the White House Rose Garden, permanently changing how the nation funds and delivers support to older Americans.
“The OAA is to my mind one of the most significant laws ever passed by Congress,” said William C. “Bill Fitch,” AARP Executive Director from 1959 to 1967, in AARP’s online article.
At the signing, President Johnson stated: “The Older Americans Act clearly affirms our Nation’s sense of responsibility toward the well-being of all of our older citizens. But even more, the results of this act will help us expand our opportunities to enrich the lives of all our citizens in this country, now and in the years to come.”
The President added: “This legislation is really the seed-corn that provides an orderly, intelligent, and constructive program to help us meet the new dimensions of responsibilities which lie ahead in the remaining years of this century.”
A Final Note…
According to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, Fogarty spent 26 years in Congress, spanning portions of 14 Congresses from the 77th to the 90th, fighting for causes that improved the lives of millions of Americans. The Rhode Island Congressman was a strong believer in the power of government to advance health, education, and opportunity. He helped secure federal funding for medical research, health care, libraries, and programs serving older adults and people with disabilities.
Some of Fogarty’s most lasting legislative achievements were the Hill-Fogarty “Health for Peace” initiative, which expanded international medical research and training, and the Library Services Act, which provided federal support to rural libraries. He also helped pass important laws that improved research and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as educational opportunities for blind and deaf Americans. According to records from the National Institutes of Health and Congress, these efforts continued to shape public policy long after Fogarty left office and are still part of his legacy.
Fogarty also spent years introducing the bills that led to the creation of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) in 1965, noted Thomas J. McAndrew, Esq., of Thomas J. McAndrew & Associates.
Building on Fogarty’s legislative achievements, McAndrew, serving as treasurer of the John E. Fogarty Foundation for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Rhode Island, also recalls that his father-in-law was honored with the National Heart of the Year Award on Feb. 3, 1966 – less than a year before he would die of a heart attack on Jan. 10, 1967 in his Washington, D.C. office at the age of 53.
McAndrew calls Fogarty “Everybody’s Congressman” in Rhode Island and points out that he was one of the state’s most important legislators in Congress. He also mentions his skill in influencing colleagues and gaining support for his legislative work.
He recalls that the Congressman rarely issued press releases or promoted himself, instead dedicating his attention to issues that benefited the American people and humanity.
McAndrew asks: “Where have these wonderful public servants gone?”
For more details about the John E. Fogarty Foundation for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Rhode Island, call 401-274-3279 or visit the website, http://www.fogartyfoundation.org.
To watch SARCI’s State House OAA event, go to The Senior Agenda Coalition of RI – Older Americans Month: 5-6-2026
To view votes from SARCI’s Older Americans Month celebration, go to Out and About in RI: SACRI’s Celebration of Older Americans Month (photos)
To see a Drone’s view of the lighted State Capitol, go to State House Senior Coalition Final.mp4 – Google Drive
Herb Weiss 