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.
Making the Most of Medicare Open Enrollment
Tuesday, November 14, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Concerned that prescription costs have increased as your health needs change? Do you have new prescriptions or some not covered by your current Part D plan? Medicare Open Enrollment for Part D Prescription Drug Plans and Part C Medicare Advantage Plans runs October 15 through December 7.
Medicare plans can make changes every year to their costs and formulary (lists of drugs covered). Join a Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program representative for information on Medicare Open Enrollment and how to effectively use the Medicare Planfinder and other tools to maximize savings.
Location:
Walter Reed 55+ Center
2909 16th St S, Arlington, VA 22204
Virtual option available. Please sign up by emailing Medicarehelp@arlingtonva.us, or calling 703-228-1725
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Medicare Cost Changes:
What to expect in 2024
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2024 premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for the Medicare Part A and Part B, and the 2024 Medicare Part D income-related monthly adjustment amounts. Here is what you can expect next year:
- The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $174.70 for 2024, an increase of $9.80 from $164.90 in 2023.
- The standard Part B immunosuppressive drug premium is $103.00.
- The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries will be $240.00 in 2024, an increase of $14 from the annual deductible of $226.00 in 2023.
- The Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductible that beneficiaries pay if admitted to the hospital will be $1,632.00 in 2024, an increase of $32.00 from $1,600.00 in 2023.
Additional changes include an increase to the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA) for Medicare Parts B and D. Click here to review 2024 IRMAA changes or watch the video below for a brief overview of the 2024 Medicare changes.
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National Diabetes Month
November brings awareness to diabetes and the impact it has on the lives of many. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in 2020 diabetes was the eighth leading cause of death in the United States. American Indian or Alaskan Natives, Black non-Hispanics, and Hispanics are the top three racial and ethnic groups at higher risk of developing diabetes.
While diabetes is manageable, it can still be serious at any age, especially for older adults who are likely to face more unique complications related to diabetes such as hypoglycemia, heart disease, and kidney failure. Nearly half of all people with type 2 diabetes are people aged 65 or older. To learn more about signs and symptoms of diabetes in older adults, click here.
Medicare Part B covers an annual diabetes screening, including a fasting blood glucose test and/or a post-glucose challenge test, if you have certain risk factors. Part B also covers the following diabetic supplies:
- Glucose monitors
- Blood glucose test strips
- Lancet devices and lancets
- Glucose control solutions
Medicare Part D may cover insulin and related medical supplies used to inject insulin (syringes, gauze, and alcohol swabs) if you have a prescription from your doctor. As of January 2023, Part D-covered insulin copays are capped at $35 per month, with no deductible. You should contact your Part D plan for information about its exact costs and coverage rules for insulin. To learn more about diabetes related coverage, click here or visit medicare.gov.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also offers great tips on effective ways to manage diabetes.
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BBS Scam Alert: How to protect your verified social media account
Virginiasmp | October 11, 2023
There’s a lot of buzz lately about verified social media accounts, thanks to Twitter’s announcement of the $8-a-month program and Meta’s announcement of their $14.99-a-month program for a “verified account.” Social media has long been a favorite haunt of scammers. In light of those two facts, businesses and consumers should be alert to how the scammers will use this latest twist to benefit themselves. (Read More)
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Dear VICAP Team,
How can I save money on my Medicare costs?
Dear Medicare Beneficiary,
There are a few programs you may be eligible for depending on your income, that can help with some of your Medicare costs.
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Extra Help is a Social Security program that helps people with limited income and resources lower or cut Part D costs. Medicare Part D provides drug coverage. The Extra Help program helps with the cost of your prescription drugs, like deductibles and copays. You can apply for Extra Help any time before or after you enroll in Part D. If you make $22,000 a year ($30,000 for married couples) in 2024, then you may be eligible to receive Extra Help.
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Medicare Savings Program (MSPs), also known as Medicare Buy-In programs or Medicare Premium Payment Programs, help pay your Medicare costs if you have limited income and savings. There are three main programs, each with different benefits and eligibility requirements.*
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Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB): Pays for Medicare Parts A and B premiums. If you have QMB, typically you should not be billed for Medicare-covered services when seeing Medicare providers or providers in your Medicare Advantage Plan’s network.
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Specified Low-income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB): Pays for Medicare Part B premium.
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Qualifying Individual (QI) Program: Pays for Medicare Part B premium.
If you enroll in an MSP, you will also automatically get Extra Help
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Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) offer people with limited income, free or low-cost drugs directly from the pharmaceutical company that makes them. Click here to view Patient Assistance Programs for a prescription you may need that is not covered under Medicare.
The Inflation Reduction Act provides meaningful financial relief for millions of people with Medicare by improving access to affordable treatments and strengthening the Medicare Program both now and in the long-run.
The new drug law makes improvements to Medicare that will expand benefits, lower drug costs, keep prescription drug premiums stable, and improve the strength of the Medicare program. To learn more about how the Inflation Reduction Act is improving Medicare costs, click here.
 By November 8th, please complete and submit the intake form via email to MedicareHelp@arlingtonva.us or via fax to 703-228-1174, ATTN: VICAP.
Click here to complete a form in English
Click here to complete a form in Spanish
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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