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.
In celebration of Older Americans Month
Arlington Older Adult Community
Health and Wellness Benefits Fair
Tuesday, May 6th from 10AM – 2PM
Arlington Department of Human Services 2100 Washington Blvd. Lower Level
In celebration of Older Americans month, we are excited to announce our upcoming Older Adult and Caregiver Community Health and Wellness Benefits Fair! We invite older adults and caregivers to learn about aging services, receive health screenings, enjoy cooking demonstrations, apply for various benefits, prize giveaways, and more!
Register by scanning the QR code above or clicking on this LINK.
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May is Older Americans Month
Every May, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM), a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm our commitment to serving older adults.
The 2025 theme, Flip the Script on Aging, focuses on transforming how society perceives, talks about, and approaches aging. It encourages individuals and communities to challenge stereotypes and dispel misconceptions. This year, join us in honoring older adults’ contributions, exploring the many opportunities for staying active and engaged as we age, and highlighting the opportunities for purpose, exploration, and connection that come with aging.
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May is ALS Awareness Month
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Each May, the ALS Association comes together to raise awareness of the disease, share stories from people living with ALS, show support for caregivers, families, and care workers, and shine a spotlight on those who dedicate their lives to finding a cure.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with ALS,
you are eligible for automatic enrollment into Medicare the first month you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or a railroad disability annuity check. Medicare may help cover some home health services, skilled nursing care, and different types of therapy. Click here to learn more about how to apply for Medicare if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with ALS.
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Spot Misleading Ads and Subscription Traps for Weight Loss Products
Virginia SMP | February 24, 2025
When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, scammers know that losing weight and getting in shape is one of the most popular goals. This popularity has led to a slew of scams involving vitamins, supplements, and weight loss formulas, all claiming to offer rapid results. Not only are the products themselves questionable, but so are the business dealings of the companies peddling them. (Read More)
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Dear VICAP Team,
I'm having trouble getting coverage for my prescription. What should I do?
Dear Medicare Beneficiary,
Below are a few steps to help you identify the issue and ensure seamless access to your prescriptions going forward.
Know your coverage:
- Call your plan to check for any applicable coverage restrictions.
- Call Medicare to learn which part of Medicare should cover your prescription. Click here to learn more.
- Check with your plan to make sure your Part D drugs are on your plan's formulary. In many cases, you can also search your plans formulary online.
Make sure claims are submitted properly:
- Your drug covered could be denied if your pharmacist is billing the wrong part of Medicare or if the required documentation is not being provided by them.
- If your provider or pharmacist is unsure of how to submit these claims, they can reach out to your plan directly or contact Medicare for help.
Make sure your provider or pharmacist has the necessary documentation:
- When your provider or pharmacist has the documentation they need, it can help them bill for prescriptions that are covered differently.
- For example, you may need to show proof that you have an infusion pump for your insulin to be covered under Medicare Part B.
Know your right to appeal:
- You have the right to appeal a denial from Medicare or your plan.
- Ask your provider to help prove that your prescription is medically necessary and that you meet the coverage criteria to help with your appeal process.
Introducing our Newest Team Member!
Michelle Althuis has had a twenty-five-year career focused on using evidence-based research methodology to inform equitable and accessible health care. Most recently, as the Associate Director of Research Synthesis at the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), she oversaw a team and portfolio of funded evidence synthesis projects that aimed to incorporate the patient and caregiver voice in US healthcare. She has had substantial experience developing staff, overseeing research agendas and evidence reviews, managing multifaceted contracts, implementing budgets, and collaborating with a broad range of health professionals, patients and caregivers to complete complex projects. She has worked in government, academic and the private sector, and is excited to join Arlington’s VICAP team as a Volunteer to improve healthcare access and tangibly impact the everyday life of older adults and persons with disabilities.
Michelle received her BS in chemistry from the University of Connecticut, an MA in organic chemistry from The Johns Hopkins University, and her PhD in epidemiology from the University of Maryland Baltimore. She recently completed a Post-Masters Certificate in Quantitative Methods in Applied Economics, with a focus on health economics and policy, from The Johns Hopkins University.
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 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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