Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program to Host Conference on Primary Care at a Crossroads: Care and Cost

Dr. Julita Mir, internist and infectious disease physician, is the keynote speaker.

MARLBOROUGH, Mass., April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program announces its 11^th Statewide Conference, Primary Care at a Crossroads: Care and Cost, taking place on Tuesday,   May 6^th, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center, 181 Boston Post Road West, Marlborough, MA. This free, one-day conference will provide attendees with a variety of morning workshops addressing Medicare Fraud, safeguarding against becoming victims of fraud and scams and steps to take if victimized.  In the afternoon, a panel discussion will take place to examine the urgent challenges facing primary care in Massachusetts and explore solutions to ensure equitable access to quality care and cost containment.

This conference will address the ever-increasing barriers to healthcare access and the critical roles of outreach, consumer and community engagement in shaping the future of primary care in the Commonwealth. The event will feature keynote speaker Dr. Julita Mir, an esteemed internist and infectious disease physician. With over 20 years of experience in Boston's federally qualified health centers and leadership roles in community-based healthcare organizations, Dr. Mir will share insights on the importance of consumer-centric primary care and value-based care models.

Key Topics and Workshops:

Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of key issues, including:

• Detecting, preventing, and reporting healthcare errors, fraud, and abuse
• Navigating Medicare benefits and cost-saving opportunities
• Challenges associated with electronic medical records and patient portals
• Addressing demographic disparities in patient care

The afternoon panel discussion will focus on equitable access to primary care services, featuring expert perspectives from members of the Primary Care Access, Delivery, and Payment Task Force, which is charged with developing policy solutions to address access to primary care and financial sustainability in the Commonwealth.

"Primary care is at a critical juncture in Massachusetts," said Lucilia Prates, MA SMP Program state director. "We need to think outside the box, listen to consumers to foster dialogue and to empower individuals with knowledge on how and why primary care needs to change.  Together we can drive meaningful change and collectively transform primary care to improve healthcare access for all."

Register Today! This event is free, but registration is required. Visit www.masmp.org to secure your spot. Accommodations are available upon request.

The Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program is part of a national initiative with a mission to reach, educate, and counsel Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, family members, and caregivers on preventing, detecting, and reporting healthcare errors, fraud, and abuse. The MA SMP Program works in partnership with government, non-governmental, statewide and local agencies, community-based and grassroots organizations, and a corps of dedicated and trained volunteers to activate consumers to become better engaged in their healthcare.

Disclaimer: This publication is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $613,506.00 with 100% funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

SOURCE AgeSpan, Inc.