Virginia Insurance Counseling in the NRV

08/22/2024

Extra Help is a federal program that helps pay your prescription drug costs if you have limited income and assets. If you have Extra Help, you may receive one or more of the following communications from Medicare. Contact your SHIP for assistance in understanding your Medicare coverages or any mail you may receive about your health insurance coverage.

08/21/2024

Caregiver, you play an important role. Did you know that you are also a big player in helping educate on ? Be sure to follow the Caregivers play an essential role in the health and well-being of seniors. They also play a big part in helping educate our seniors against !
Be sure to follow the on social media to learn about the latest scams and keep your loved ones safe.

08/21/2024

It’s no secret that Medicare can be overwhelming. Your needs can also change over time, and you may wonder if you can or should change your healthcare coverage. SHIP can help you understand and compare options to make the best choices for you and your loved ones. SHIP can also assist you with navigating access to providers, correcting billing issues, and filing complaints and appeals. With your permission, SHIP will work with Medicare directly to help solve problems on your behalf.
SHIP is a national program with offices across the country. Depending on your area, you may know your local SHIP by another name, but the support it provides is the same. www.shiphelp.org/locations

08/15/2024

Did you know that the genetic testing scam was first reported by a Medicare beneficiary to the SMP? The SMP then turned this information into the to start building cases to help take down bad actors in this scheme! You could help find the next scam by reading your Medicare statements and reporting suspicious activity! Report concerns by calling the Virginia SMP at 800-938-8885

06/10/2024

Some people are automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. A rule of thumb is that Part A covers in-patient care, and Part B covers outpatient care. You may be automatically enrolled if you’re already receiving retirement benefits from Social Security when you become Medicare-eligible or have been collecting Social Security Disability Insurance for two years. Automatically enrolled people receive a package in the mail with their Medicare insurance card. Otherwise, there are three times to enroll in Parts A and B. Review this post for more details.
Contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP, to speak with a Medicare counselor about your enrollment options. www.shiphelp.org

06/07/2024

Medicare Fraud Prevention Week is coming to an end, but that doesn't mean we should stop being aware of scammers in our communities. Join us ALL YEAR LONG TO PROTECT OUR SENIORS BY BECOMING ONE OF THE VIRGINIA SMP TEAM MEMBERS.

Team Members are trained to help Medicare Beneficiaries by attending health fairs, providing one-on-one counseling, distributing materials, performing administrative duties, and many other opportunities.
Please call 1-800-938-8885 or visit our website at www.VirginiaSMP.com

06/04/2024

Don't forget the three key Medicare Fraud Fighter steps: Prevent, Detect, Report!
🛑 Prevent: Dive into those Medicare statements like a detective.
🔎 Detect: Spot any sneaky double charges or mystery services.
🚨 Report: When in doubt, reach out to the SMP for backup.
Locate your SMP superhero at www.smpresource.org.
SMP National Resource Center

05/24/2024

05/08/2024

This month, we celebrate older Americans’ contributions by recommitting to those ideals and defending everyone’s right to live full lives with dignity and respect. Older Americans are the backbone of our Nation. They have built the foundation we all stand upon today, guided by the core values of America — freedom, equality, decency, and opportunity.

05/08/2024

Come out , lots of great information!

Join us a Christiansburg Recreation center today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

03/07/2024

The cost of your Medicare Part D-covered drugs may change throughout the year. If you notice that your drug prices have changed, it may be because you are in a different phase of Part D coverage. There are four different phases—or periods—of Part D coverage: the deductible period, the initial coverage period, the coverage gap, and catastrophic coverage. As you spend money on your covered drugs, you progress through the coverage periods until the new calendar year starts. Your Part D plan should track this, with details in your monthly statements. The image below outlines each coverage phase in more detail. Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to learn more about your Part D coverage and programs that could reduce your prescription costs. www.shiphelp.org

03/06/2024

Great information!!!

There are many types of pharmacy and prescription drug schemes. A few examples are listed here. Check Medicare statements for errors, ensuring medications match prescriptions. Contact Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) if issues are detected for assistance and reporting potential fraud. To learn more visit www.smpresource.org SMP National Resource Center