Arlington County’s Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program
(VICAP) provides free, unbiased, one-on-one insurance counseling to Arlington County Medicare Beneficiaries, their families, friends and caregivers.
Medicare Fraud: Protecting Older Adults from Scams, Fraud & Abuse
Tuesday, March 14, 2023 | 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Medicare fraud and abuse costs Americans 85 billion dollars a year. Learn from expert officials from the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP), Senior Medicare Patrol Office, the Arlington Police Department and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission about measures the community is taking to tackle this issue, as well as tools you can use to avoid becoming a victim. This program will be offered simultaneously in person and virtually - sign up based on your preference.
You can RSVP either by calling VICAP at 703-228-1725 or by emailing Medicarehelp@arlingtonva.us.
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Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Colorectal cancer is a disease that causes cells in the rectal or colon to grow out of control and sometimes cause abnormal growths called polyps. Over time, these polyps may develop into colon cancer.
The Centers for Disease Control reported a total of 142,462 new cases of colorectal cancer and 51,896 deaths from colorecta cancer in 2019. The highest reported cases were in Black, non-Hispanic males and older adults aged 65 to 74.
You can take preventive measures by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding smoking and alcohol, and remembering to get your screenings. Medicare covers colonoscopy screenings once every 24 months for beneficiaries at higher risk of colon cancer. For beneficiaries who are not at higher risk, Medicare covers colonoscopy screenings once every 120 Months. To read more about Medicare covered screenings for colon cancer, click here.
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Why You Should Think Twice Before Taking an Online Quiz
Virginiasmp | February 27, 2023
While scrolling Facebook, a quiz catches your eye: “Answer these questions and see which ‘Winnie the Pooh’ character matches your personality,” for example, or “What dog breed would you be?” You’re asked to name your first pet, favorite ice cream or top vacation destination. Revealing such trivia seems harmless — just fun chitchat with friends — so you dive in.
But that haste could cost you. (Read More)
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Dear VICAP Team,
When I turned 65, I was still working and covered by my employer health insurance and decided not to enroll in Medicare. Now that I am retiring at age 68 and missed my Initial Enrolment Period for Medicare, how do I sign up?
Dear Medicare Beneficiary,
You can enroll in Medicare during your Special Enrollment Period (SEP). This is an enrollment period that is triggered by special circumstances such as a loss of employer-based coverage. The SEP ends 8 months after you lose your employer health insurance. Applying during your SEP also means you will not face a Medicare Part B late enrollment penalty (LEP).
You should enroll in Medicare before losing your job-based coverage to avoid potential gaps in coverage. This is because you will be responsible for any medical costs that you incur during those gaps in coverage. Be sure to reach out to your Human Resources department about two months in advance for assistance with timing your Medicare Enrollment and ensuring that your Medicare Part B effective date begins the month after your job-based coverage ends.
Lastly, beginning 2023 you may now also qualify for an SEP in circumstances where you may have mistakenly delayed your Part B coverage as a result of misinformation from your employer. Click here to view circumstances that would make you eligible for an SEP.
 Contact the Arlington County VICAP team by phone or email:
703-228-1725
MedicareHelp@arlingtonva.us
This project was supported, in part by grant number 90SAPG0064, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy
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