The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program is seeking to recruit volunteers in Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union, and Webster counties to help Medicare beneficiaries avoid, detect, and prevent health care fraud.

SMP volunteers teach beneficiaries how to protect their personal information, identify and report errors on healthcare statements, recognize scams (like illegal marketing, providing unnecessary services, and charging for services that were not provided), and how to report medical fraud and abuse.

“Medicare paperwork can often be overwhelming,” said Tina Mattingly, GRADD SMP coordinator. “Our goal is to educate beneficiaries and caregivers so they can better understand Explanation of Benefits (EOB) and Medicare Summary Notices (MSN).”

The Madisonville Lions Club has announced the winners of the 2012 Man and Woman of the Year awards, an honor presented since 1945 to recognize local citizens for their civic contributions to the community.

It’s time to honor those groups and individuals who have served their fellow Kentuckians in an exceptional manner during the past year. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2012 Governor’s Awards for Volunteerism and Service.

“There are many Kentuckians who serve every day, every month or every year through faith-based organizations and as volunteers for community groups, addressing a variety of unmet critical needs,” said Governor Steve Beshear. “These individuals deserve our sincere admiration and gratitude.”

To honor these individuals, the Kentucky Commission on Community Volunteerism and Service (KCCVS), an agency of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, is now accepting nominations for the 2012 Governor’s Awards for Volunteerism and Service.  The deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 20.