“Medicare fraud has a devastating impact on both beneficiaries and the Medicare program,” said Marti Hearn, SHINE-Senior Medicare Patrol Liaison. “We teach people how to avoid experiencing Medicare fraud. By preventing fraud from happening, this program helps individuals and protects the Medicare program for generations to come.”

Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones by joining the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) and their partners for Medicare Fraud Prevention Week which runs the week of June 5, or 6/5, because most people become eligible for Medicare when they turn 65.

“We’re excited to teach people – both about how to protect themselves from Medicare fraud and about the services that the Senior Medicare Patrol program offers. We hope that people will remember the numbers ‘6-5’ to help us celebrate Medicare Fraud Prevention Week,” said Marti Hearn.

Everyone plays a part in the fight against fraud. During Medicare Fraud Prevention Week:

• Medicare beneficiaries can monitor their insurance statements to make sure products and services received match what is on the statements. They can request free My Health Care Trackers from their local SMP.
• Caregivers can help by being on the lookout for items such as durable medical equipment (like boxes of knee braces) lying around the house that may have been shipped to the beneficiary without their or their doctor’s approval. They can remind their client or loved ones to never give out their Medicare number or other personal information over the phone.
• Families can help by talking to their loved ones about protecting their Medicare number just as they would a credit card number. They can help their loved ones create a Medicare.gov account to access their Medicare statements online or remind them to open and review them when they come in the mail. They can also register their phone number on “do not call” lists and go to optoutprescreen.com to opt out of mailings.
• Partners and professionals can help by sharing SMP information on social media, referring clients and consumers to the SMP, and inviting the SMP to speak during a shared event.
• Health care providers can help by talking to patients about health care-related scams such as those related to durable medical equipment and genetic testing schemes. They can remind them that products and services should only be ordered by physicians they regularly see. Needed medical items should never be ordered through TV ads or unsolicited calls.
• Community members can help by looking out for older neighbors. When in public, they can be aware of older individuals purchasing gift cards in large amounts. They can encourage those they know to talk to a trusted source about their Medicare questions and tell neighbors about the most recent Medicare scams. They can even consider volunteering with the local SMP!

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is ready to provide you with the information you need to PROTECT yourself from Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse; DETECT potential fraud, errors, and abuse; and REPORT your concerns. SMPs help educate and empower Medicare beneficiaries in the fight against health care fraud. Your SMP can help you with your questions, concerns, or complaints about potential fraud and abuse issues. It also provides information and educational presentations.

Northwest Florida Area Agency on Aging
Senior Medicare Patrol
Medicare questions?
Call 1-800-96-ELDER
(1-800-963-5337)

In our balance program, we will first evaluate your gait, known as your manner of walking and movement, to determine potential problems with strength and posture. Then, we will test your balance by having you perform simple movements and exercises. These evaluations point us in the direction of what to focus on in terms of therapy. Our team will create a fully customized balance therapy program to help you navigate challenging terrain and avoid dizzy spells. Your program may consist of manual therapy, vestibular rehabilitation, and functional training.

At FYZICAL, we have a unique approach to balance therapy and falls prevention through the use of our Safety Overhead Support (SOS) System. This is an overhead harness system that creates a fall-free environment, allowing our patients to safely perform functional activities that challenge their balance. This results in positive patient outcomes as it allows us to challenge real-world cases of function, without compromising patient safety and by removing the fear of falling.

In addition to our facilities and equipment designed specifically for balance training, FYZICAL offers a holistic therapy approach to improve our patient’s health outcomes. Our therapists have advanced clinical education and training, specialty certifications, and years of experience providing hands-on healing. Our therapists will educate our patients on their condition causing the imbalance, as well as provide at-home exercise programs to help improve strength and confidence even after you have completed our balance program.

If you’re interested in requesting an appointment for our balance therapy program or learning more about our additional offerings to help you get back to doing what you love, visit fyzical.com/northwest-fl! We have three clinics in the Northwest Florida area, located in Crestview, Defuniak Springs, and Niceville. Our clinics offer special services such as balance therapy, pelvic health, dry needling, laser therapy, occupational therapy, LSVT BIG for Parkinson’s Disease, and more!

FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers
728 N Ferdon Blvd STE #3, Crestview, FL 32536
(850) 682-7772
https://www.fyzical.com/crestview-fl

A caring and compassionate nurse practitioner, Sherrie is extremely knowledgeable about health and medicine. She really takes the time to listen to her patient’s concerns and asks the right questions to understand and resolve their health issues. She is genuine, thorough, and efficient, and makes her patients feel comfortable.

In Sept. 2023, she opened her own autonomous practice called Navarre Primary Care, located in Navarre Plaza across the street from Whataburger.

Navarre Primary Care makes health care easy and affordable. They offer Medical Memberships which eliminate co-pays and help ease the mind and the wallet when it comes to primary care. For just $75 a month, Navarre Primary Care Medical Members receive:

• unlimited visits
• lab work
• an annual physical
• school/sports physicals
• flu vaccinations when available
• STD testing
• flu, strep, COVID-19 testing
• pap smear (additional charges for pathology)
• breast exam
• prescription appointments

There is a $35 initial registration fee, and they have a $300 maximum family rate. Membership plans allow for people to have access to quality primary care at a low monthly fee, so you can save money with a high deductible health care plan. For more information, visit navarreprimarycareclinic.com.

The office also offers Group Membership Plans for groups of 5 people or more. This 1-year membership could be used for small businesses, church groups, clubs, teachers or just friends – any group at all. Monthly rates range from $45 – $60 per person.

Although memberships are an excellent option, they are not the only option. Navarre Primary Care offers 3 payment options:

1. Insurance (covered services)
2. Medical Membership
3. Self-pay (cash 10% off)

The medical office accepts a variety of insurances, such as Medicare, some Medicaid plans, Tricare for Life, Tricare Select, and they have future contracts with Florida Blue and United Healthcare in the works. Navarre Primary Care also accepts VA Community Care. With the VA being almost 40 miles away from Navarre, Sherrie sees a lot of veterans. Navarre Primary Care is an excellent alternative to making a doctor’s appointment an all-day affair at the VA. Seeing the same caring provider every time encourages veterans to choose Navarre Primary Care.

Sherrie’s favorite part of her job is making people feel comfortable about their health journey.
“So many have stigmas about healthcare providers, or maybe they’ve had a bad experience. I just want to assure patients that I’m listening and am going to help figure out what’s wrong and work with them to come up with a solution that they are happy with too,” she said.

Sherrie works with her patients on lifestyle changes too, if that’s what they would prefer.

“I work with them on lifestyle changes and not just say “take this med” and don’t tell them what it’s for or what it could do. I think people appreciate that. It makes me feel like I’m doing something they can’t find someplace else,” she said.

Sherrie educates her patients on the risks and benefits of taking medicine and making lifestyle changes, based on what the patient wants. She listens and she cares.

Sherrie can take care of any of your family practice needs, whether that be an acute or chronic condition, preventative care, bloodwork, weight loss or treating depression or anxiety. She works with patients of all ages and specializes in care.

Stop by Navarre Primary Care’s Grand Opening Sat. Jan. 20 to check out their office, enjoy refreshments and meet Sherrie for yourself.

Navarre Primary Care
1772 Sea Lark Lane
Navarre, FL 32566
850-939-9721