Advocacy and Resources

Medicare can be confusing. We can help.

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Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP) nationally known as State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), provides confidential, unbiased, personalized Medicare Counseling by trained and certified consultants to anyone receiving Medicare, regardless of age.

We can help you understand:

• Medicare Eligibility for Parts A and B

• Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Benefit) selection and enrollment

• Medicare Advantage Insurance choices

• Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) comparison information

• Medicare benefits and preventative services

• How to file claims and appeals

• How to protect yourself against Healthcare fraud

• Medicare coordination with Veteran’s or Employer Insurance

• Medicaid application assistance

• Assistance applying for extra help for prescription drugs for those with limited income and resources

Our VICAP staff will help walk you through the enrollment process to ensure that you make the best Medicare decisions for you. Every year CVACL helps people save thousands of dollars in prescription medication bills by simply reviewing Part D plans during fall open enrollment.

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Are you interested in volunteering with VICAP? Call 434-385-9070 or email sthacker@cvcl.org to learn more about this opportunity.

Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)

VICAP works collaboratively with the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) to help educate and empower beneficiaries to take an active role in detecting and preventing health care fraud and abuse. The Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol’s (SMP) mission is to empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse through outreach, counseling, and education.  The Virginia SMP works with local AAA’s and volunteers to provide information, conduct educational presentations and attend events to share information with the public.

Fraud Hotline: 1-800-938-8885

SMP Website: www.VirginiaSMP.com.

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CVACL partners with Virginia Legal Aid Society (VLAS) to assist eligible individuals in legal issues such as simple Wills and Power of Attorney.

This program is available to individuals who are 60 years of age and older who cannot afford private legal counsel. Special consideration is given to those in the greatest economic or social need. Other qualification factors include risk for institutional placement, residency in long-term care facilities, limited English proficiency, and residence in rural or geographically isolated areas.

CVACL also coordinates with VLAS to provide public education/training sessions to contribute to elder community knowledge and awareness of legal issues, protecting the rights of older individuals.