UMET volunteers provide educational, advocacy and counseling services to Medicare beneficiaries, family members and the general public. UMET was founded in July, 1999 when the U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) awarded a Senior Medicare Patrol Project grant to Utah Legal Services, Inc. UMET is part of a national effort to prevent the loss of billions of dollars each year to Medicare/Medicaid waste, misuse/abuse and fraud.

UMET provides general education as well as individual assistance about ways to avoid and minimize problems with Medicare and medical statements by learning to understand Medicare Summary Notices (MSN.) Examples of problems might include being billed for medical supplies that are no longer necessary or being billed for a service that has not been received. UMET strives to educate beneficiaries to become well-informed consumers.

UMET joins in partnerships with federal, state and community based organizations in its efforts to eradicate Medicare waste, misuse/abuse and fraud.

The volunteer opportunities for non-attorney seniors with our UMET partnerships include:

• Speaking at group presentations to educate beneficiaries and caregivers on how to detect fraudulent activities in Medicare and Medicare billings;
• Investigating individual complaints about possible fraudulent Medicare/Medicaid billings by providers and advising/counseling thereon; and/or
• Assisting generally at special events and/or with data collection in our Salt Lake Office.

If you are interested in volunteering or would like a presentation or seek individual counseling, please contact: