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.
Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Virtual
Original Medicare includes Part A (inpatient/hospital coverage) and Part B (outpatient/medical coverage). Most doctors accept Original Medicare. Medicare Part C also known as Medicare Advantage provides beneficiaries with a membership card to obtain health services, which some doctors accept, depending on the plan. Join Arlington’s Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP) to learn:
- What’s new in Medicare for 2026
- The differences between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
- How Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans work
- When to join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan
Meeting details will be sent to participants the Friday afternoon before the presentation. Registration is required. Register by Friday, January 9.
How to Register:
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2026 Medicare Parts A & B
Premiums and Deductibles
On November 14, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2026 Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts, and the 2026 Medicare Part D income-related monthly adjustment amounts. The Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductible will be $1,736 in 2026, an increase of $60 from 2025.
For beneficiaries in skilled nursing facilities, the daily coinsurance for days 21 through 100 of extended care services in a benefit period will be $217 per day in 2026, up from $209.50 in 2025. Additionally, the standard Medicare Part B premium will be $202.90 for 2026, an increase of $17.90 or nearly 10%. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries will be $283 in 2026, compared to $257 in 2025. Learn more here: 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles | CMS
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Negotiated Prices for 2027
Selected Prescription Drugs
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the negotiated prices for 15 high-expenditure, single-source drugs and biological products under the second round of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. The prescription drugs covered under Medicare Part D include Ozempic and Wegovy, Telegy Ellipta, and Xtandi. The negotiated prices, known as maximum fair prices, are based on negotiations and agreements reached between CMS and participating drug companies, and take effect on January 1, 2027. CMS estimates that Medicare beneficiaries will save $685 million in out-of-pocket costs. Learn more here: CMS Delivers Savings for Seniors on 15 Major Drugs for Cancer and Chronic Disease | CMS
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Scammers are impersonating the United States Patent and Trademark Office
Virginia SMP | November 28, 2025
If you own a business or know someone who does, you know how important a trademark is for protecting your intellectual property. Scammers do, too, and they’re impersonating the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to steal your money. Here’s how the scam works. (Read More)
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Dear VICAP Team,
How do I stop unwanted calls from Medicare Advantage plans?
Dear Medicare Beneficiary,
Many people get unwanted marketing calls from Medicare Advantage Plans as they near Medicare eligibility or during Fall Open Enrollment. These calls can be distracting when you’re trying to make informed coverage decisions.
To reduce unwanted calls, you can add your number to the National Do Not Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov or by calling 888‑382‑1222. This blocks legitimate sales calls, though scammers may still reach out. If the same numbers keep calling, block them. Avoid answering suspicious calls, hang up immediately if you do pick up, and report unwanted callers to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
It also helps to know the rules Medicare sets for private plan marketing. Plans may advertise through mail, TV, radio, and print, and agents may visit your home only if you invite them. Agents cannot:
- Call without your permission
- Visit your home or residence uninvited
- Offer gifts over $15 to influence enrollment
- Market plans at educational events or inside health care facilities (except common areas)
- Sell non‑health products at the same appointment unless you request it
- Claim their plan is “Medicare‑endorsed” or imply Medicare prefers it
- Suggest they are contacting you on behalf of Medicare
If a Medicare Advantage Plan or agent breaks these rules, report it to the
Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) and 1‑800‑MEDICARE (633‑4227).
 Interested in joining our team? Click here to complete an online volunteer application or 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
Visit our website to learn more.
Use the QR code or click here.
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