City of Alexandria Provides Assistance to Residents During Medicare Open Enrollment

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 23 -- The city of Alexandria issued the following news release:

The City of Alexandria is providing residents with assistance to make changes to their Medicare prescription drug plans and health plans during the Medicare open enrollment period, from now through December 7. The Medicare health insurance program--for people aged 65 or older, or under age 65 with certain disabilities or disease--encourages all enrollees to review their plans during this time to ensure the plans meet their needs.

The Virginia Insurance and Counseling Program (VICAP) provides free, unbiased, individualized counseling to help residents understand and navigate Medicare. VICAP counselors can compare plans and help residents understand the benefits. VICAP is based in the City's Department of Community and Human Services and is supported by certified volunteers. Residents can request assistance or more information by calling 703.746.5999. Medicare beneficiaries may also request Medicare Counseling.

Medicare Part D plans provide prescription drug coverage. These plan members should ensure that their current plans will cover their medications at an affordable cost. Plan members should ensure that their current plan is still offered and that, if so, it will cover all their medications affordably. Members should not assume that plan coverage will remain the same because each year's plan costs and the medication coverage can change.

Medicare Part C, also called Medicare Advantage Plan, provides all the members' care, including drug coverage, at a single cost. The plans may change the fees for doctor's appointments, participating providers, pharmacies and medication. During open enrollment, plan members can select a new Medicare Advantage plan or cancel Medicare Advantage and return to original Medicare with a Part D plan.

During open enrollment, Medicare beneficiaries can:

* Join a Medicare Prescription Drug plan.

* Change from original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage.

* Cancel a Medicare Advantage plan and return to the original Medicare with a Part D plan.

* Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan that does not offer drug coverage to another Medicare Advantage plan that does offer drug coverage.

All changes will be effective January 1, 2022. Beneficiaries who are satisfied with their current plan, and whose plans are still available, do not need to do anything.

During open enrollment, VICAP encourages beneficiaries to be aware of Medicare fraud. Residents should not accept calls from--or provide personal information to--persons promising to explain Medicare or offering to sign up for a plan. Carefully read any mail that offers Medicare benefits and call 1.800.MEDICARE (1.800.633.4227) to make plan changes. To report suspected fraud or abuse, call Senior Medicare Patrol at 1.800.938.8885.