AgeOptions Highlights Fraud Prevention Resources During Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, June 1-5

Chicago, IL (May 2026) – In honor of the 5th anniversary of Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (June 1-5, 2026), AgeOptions, the Area Agency on Aging for suburban Cook County, and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) partners are strengthening efforts to empower and educate the state’s older adults, caregivers and individuals with disabilities. SMP is a national program to educate Medicare beneficiaries about Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse. With Medicare losing an estimated $60 billion each year to fraud and placing a significant burden on beneficiaries, families and caregivers, the campaign will emphasize the importance of preventing fraud to safeguard the financial security and healthcare benefits of those relying on the program.

As part of its commitment to combat Medicare fraud, AgeOptions and SMP partners will host several outreach events during Fraud Prevention Week to support older adults and caregivers throughout the Chicagoland area. Learn how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from Medicare fraud by joining us at an event, including:

• Wednesday, June 3, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. — Fraud & Shred Event at the Southwest Senior Center, 6117 S. Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60629
• Thursday, June 4, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. — Fraud & Shred Event at the Berwyn Senior Center, 3320 Grove Avenue, Berwyn, IL 60402
• Friday, June 5, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. — SMP Presentation and Bingo Event at the Evergreen Park Public Library, 9400 S. Troy Avenue, Evergreen Park, IL 60805

“It is more important than ever that older adults and caregivers have the knowledge and resources needed to protect themselves from Medicare fraud and scams,” said Diane Slezak, President and Chief Executive Officer of AgeOptions. “Through these community events, we are helping individuals learn how to recognize warning signs, safely protect their personal information and report suspicious activity. By working together with trusted community partners, we can help safeguard the healthcare benefits and financial security of older adults throughout our communities.”

The Fraud & Shred Events will give attendees the opportunity to securely shred sensitive and confidential documents while receiving valuable information on how to protect, detect and report Medicare fraud. Community organizations and participating vendors will help equip attendees with tools and resources needed to protect themselves against fraud, identity theft and scams targeting older adults.

Vendors attending the June 3 Event to equip attendees with tools needed to protect against fraud include AgeOptions/SMP, White Crane Wellness Center, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, Organ/Tissue Donor Program Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Illinois Senior Health Insurance Program (IL SHIP), Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Rush University/Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Social Security, the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission and Legal Aid Chicago. Organizations participating in the June 4 Fraud & Shred Event include AgeOptions/SMP, the Chicago Office of Inspector General, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Cook County Sheriff’s Office and Solutions for Care.

To learn more about Medicare fraud and events during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, visit www.smpresource.org. Please contact AgeOptions at 708.383.0258 if you are concerned about a potential Medicare fraud or to schedule a presentation.

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ABOUT AGEOPTIONS

AgeOptions advocates, plans, develops and funds programs and coordinates a network of community based senior service agencies to ensure an effective and efficient system of service delivery. Support is provided through the Older Americans Act, Illinois General Revenue Funds, local funds, and individual contributions. In 2024, AgeOptions and its partners served 195,603 individuals in 130 communities within 30 townships that have diverse populations of more than 607,328 older adults. AgeOptions has served older adults of suburban Cook County and their caregivers as an Area Agency on Aging since 1974. For more information, please visit the agency website at www.ageoptions.org, or our Facebook and YouTube pages.