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.
Fraud Alert: Ways to Reduce and Prevent Imposter Scams
Thursday, March 28, 2024 | 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
In partnership with Senior Medicare Patrol, the Arlington County Police Department, and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Arlington County VICAP invites you to this month's hybrid class. Learn to define imposter scams; discuss ways beneficiaries can protect themselves against imposter scams and fraud; and obtain tips, tools, and resources to fight against scams and fraud.
Join virtually or in person at:
Walter Reed Community Center
2909 16th St S. Arlington, VA 22204
You can register by clicking here, emailing Medicarehelp@arlingtonva.us, or by calling 703-228-1725.
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You may now qualify for
Medicare Part D Extra Help
The 2024 income and resource limits for the Medicare Part D “Extra Help” program increased, which may make you eligible, even if you did not qualify for Extra Help last year. The Medicare Part D Extra-Help or Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program helps pay your monthly Medicare prescription drug plan premium, deductible, and prescription drug costs.
If you qualify for Medicaid, you automatically qualify for Medicare Part D Extra Help. Also, if you qualify for Extra Help, you are granted a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) allowing you to change your Medicare plan once per quarter during the first nine (9) months of the plan year.
Below are some commonly asked questions about Extra Help.
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What are the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) guidelines? The Federal Poverty Level guidelines are released every year and are used to determine the income limits for people applying for the Medicare Part D Extra-Help program. Since the 2024 FPL guidelines increased, you can now earn more money and still qualify for Medicare Part D Extra Help: -- If your annual income is at or below 150% of FPL ($22,590 if you are single or $30,660 for married couples), you could qualify for the Low-Income Subsidy (resource limits also apply).
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I do not currently receive any financial assistance. Can I still apply for the 2024 Extra Help program even though I am already enrolled in a 2024 Medicare Part D plan? Yes. You can apply for the financial Extra-Help program at any time throughout the plan year. As noted above, if you are eligible for the Medicare Part D Extra Help program, you will be granted a quarterly Special Enrollment Period (SEP) so that you can change to a Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan that provides more affordable health and prescription coverage.
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How do I apply for Extra Help? You can apply for Extra Help through your state Medicaid office or apply online at https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help. For more information, you can also contact the Social Security Administration (1-800-772-1213) or call a local SHIP volunteer.
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I qualify for Medicaid and receive Medicare Part D Extra Help, so why is my 2024 Medicare drug plan charging me a $14.20 premium? Most likely your chosen Medicare Part D plan no longer qualifies for your state’s $0 monthly premium benchmark. For example, if you chose the SilverScript Choice (PDP) in 2023 that qualified for the California full-LIS $0 monthly premium and you did not change plans during the annual Open Enrollment Period, your 2024 Medicare Part D plan no longer qualifies for the LIS $0 monthly premium. Instead, the 2024 SilverScript Choice (PDP) has a $14.20 premium for people qualifying for LIS benefit. Please read more about LIS beneficiaries who choose their own Part D plan.
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Men Arrested for Role in Fraudulent
Billing for DME
Virginiasmp | February 19,
Alan Swiss has been charged with health care fraud and conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute. According to statements made in court and publicly filed documents, Swiss operated Tropical Medical Marketing Inc., a call center that cold-called Medicare beneficiaries and used their personal and medical information without the beneficiaries’ knowledge or consent to prepare orders for DME. Swiss then sold these DME orders to co-conspirators who illegally obtained purported signatures or “authorizations” of health care providers so that fraudulent claims could be submitted to Medicare for reimbursement. He also operated two DME supply companies: Modern Medical Equipment Inc. and A&E Medical Inc. Swiss purchased DME orders outright, used patient information that he had generated through his call center, and purchased purported signatures or authorizations of health care providers. Read a Department of Justice press release.
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Dear VICAP Team,
How should I prepare for a doctor's appointment?
Dear Medicare Beneficiary,
Medical appointments can be overwhelming, and we sometimes forget to share all our thoughts with our providers. Communication is key to ensuring you receive the best possible care from your providers. Here are a few tips to make the most of your appointments.
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Be Prepared and think of what you would like to tell or ask your doctor. You can do this by creating a list of questions prior to your appointment and by packing any relevant documents or health history. You can also consider bringing a friend, family member, or caregiver with you as emotional support, or to help ask any additional questions.
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Share Information with your doctor about any current symptoms or concerns you may have during your visit. Notify your doctor if you have trouble with activities of daily living like bathing or dressing. Also, keep your provider informed of any specialists you are seeing and medications you have been prescribed or recommended. Even if your doctor hasn't asked specific questions, tell them any information that you think is important to share so that your doctor has all the relevant information needed to provide you with the best possible care.
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Ask Questions if you don't understand something your doctor says, and do not be afraid to ask the same question more than once or to ask your doctor to explain it in a different way. If you need further clarification, consider scheduling a conversation with your provider or speaking with a nurse or practitioner, and do not be afraid to ask for a second opinion.
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Get it in writing by asking your doctor to record what you should do between now and your next visit.
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Follow up with your doctor if you are experiencing problems after your appointment or if you have worsening symptoms. If your doctor uses electronic communication like an online portal or email, you can use it to communicate any follow up questions you may have about a lab result or discussion from a previous appointment.
Appointments can be daunting, but taking steps to prepare for your appointment can help alleviate some of the concerns you have and can even help you with effectively advocating for your health needs. Click here to view additional tips to prepare for your appointments.
 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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