Insurance Counseling
The Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP) is part of a nationwide network of health insurance assistance programs. Locally, VICAP is sponsored by the Maury River Senior Center through Valley Program for Aging Services (VPAS). Trained and certified counselors assist older adults, adults with disabilities and their caregivers understand and compare Medicare and other health insurance benefits.
VICAP counselors are not associated with any insurance company and do not sell insurance products. Counseling is non-biased, confidential and free and is offered by appointment at the Maury River Senior Center. Home visits can be arranged for homebound older adults.
Information
VICAP Counselors provide information on:
- Medicare Basics for persons newly enrolling to Medicare.
- Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D).
- Applying for Extra Help in paying for Part D premiums and drug costs.
- Applying for Medicare Savings Programs for help with Medicare premiums, deductibles and co-payments.
- Medicare Advantage Health Plans.
- Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap).
- Medicaid
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Understanding medical and insurance statements.
- Filing claims and appeals.
- Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse.
For assistance, please call the at 540. 261.7474 to make an appointment with a VICAP counselor.
Open Enrollment
The Maury River Senior Center will be a Medicare Open Enrollment site October 15 through December 7, 2011.
This time of year gives Medicare recipients a chance to make changes to their drug plans. VICAP Counselors will explain how Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage Health Plans work, discuss what changes will occur for the new year, help compare which plan would most benefit an individual, and assist with enrollment. Please call 540- 261-7474 to schedule an appointment.
Community Outreach Speakers
Speakers are available to community groups to provide information about Medicare enrollment and benefits as well as how to avoid Medicare fraud. There is no charge for this service. To schedule a speaker, please call Jeri Schaff at 540. 261.7474.
Links
- Medicare.gov: The official U.S. Government site for Medicare. Extensive information on Medicare benefits. Helpful for finding health and drug plans available in local area by zip code.
- Social Security.gov: The official U.S. Government site for Social Security. Online services include application for retirement benefits, application for Medicare Parts A and B, and a retirement benefits planning calculator.
- Special assistance for seniors: Insurance information ranging from Medicare to Medicare supplemental insurance (Medigap) to prescription drug assistance programs in the state.
- LongTermCare.gov: This site is a valuable clearinghouse website which provides objective information on long-term care insurance. It was designed by the US Department of Health & Human Services Administration on Aging (AoA), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE). This site provides valuable tools to help people begin a process of planning. Take note of the link to Virginia Long-Term Care Partnerships for information about a more affordable long –term care financing package.
- Links to licensed long-term insurance carriers: This site lists long-term care insurance carriers authorized to sell in Virginia by the Virginia Bureau of Insurance.
