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.
Artificial Intelligence and Fraud: Is it a Scam?Monday, June 22, 2026 | 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Arlington County's Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP) offers free, monthly Medicare classes for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. Learn about a new topic each month from certified VICAP Counselors and guest speakers from the local, state and federal level.
In June, join Arlington County VICAP and guest speakers from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Virginia's Senior Medicare Patrol and Arlington's Department of Technology Services for a hybrid program to learn about:
- Artificial intelligence (AI) scams
- Medicare fraud, waste, and abuse
- Internet and email fraud
- How beneficiaries can protect themselves against fraud and scams targeting older adult and persons with disabilities.
Registration required. Meeting details will be sent to participants the Friday afternoon before the presentation.
Register in one of three easy ways:
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Medicare Fraud Prevention Week
The most effective way to stop Medicare fraud from happening is to prevent it in the first place.
For situations you can't prevent, learning how to detect potential fraud, errors, and abuse is very important.
If you find something concerning on a Medicare statement or accidentally give out your Medicare information, report it! Don't hide it and don't be ashamed. Scammers are really good at what they do and the SMP is here to help.
Click Here to share your story about your experience with the SMP!
#MedicareFraudPreventionWeek #MFPW
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Medicare Coverage of GLP-1 Medications
Starting July 1, 2026, CMS will provide eligible Medicare beneficiaries with access to certain GLP-1 medications at a $50 monthly cost. Under the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, a time-limited demonstration, CMS is expanding access to evidence-based weight-loss treatments. Eligible individuals enrolled in Medicare Part D prescription drug plans will be able to access these medications.
The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge operates under the Secretary’s authority to test new approaches to care delivery under Medicare and is supported by CMS, including centralized processes for claims adjudication and payment to pharmacies. The program runs through December 2027.
Click here for the press release.
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World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) will take place on Monday, June 15, 2026. The purpose of WEAAD is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic, and demographic processes affecting elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
The National Center on Elder Abuse has compiled resources and outreach tools for WEAAD, including a social media toolkit, faith action guide, and ideas for taking action in communities across the country.
Click here to explore resources and learn more.
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Dear VICAP Team,
How do I file an appeal if Original Medicare denies payment for a service I've received?
Dear Medicare Beneficiary,
If you have Original Medicare and a service or item is denied, you can appeal the decision. An appeal is a formal request to review a coverage or payment decision you disagree with.
First, review your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) to confirm what was paid and what you may owe. If a service wasn’t covered and you believe it should have been, contact your provider to rule out billing errors before filing an appeal.
To start, follow the appeal instructions on your MSN or Redetermination Request form. Mark the denied service, complete the indicated section, and send it to the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) within 120 days of the MSN date. The MAC typically issues a decision within 60 days. If you receive a bill, notify your provider that you are appealing.
If the MAC denies your appeal, you can request a review by a Qualified Independent Contractor (QIC) within 180 days. Follow the instructions on the denial notice; the QIC usually decides within 60 days.
If denied again, and the amount in question meets the required threshold (e.g., at least $200 in 2026), you can escalate it to the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA).
Be sure to meet all deadlines. If you miss one for a valid reason, you may request an extension. Keep copies of all documents throughout the process.
 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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