Pulaski, VA – Hundreds of seniors in the New River Valley have extra money just in time for the Holiday season, thanks to the hard work of seven people working with the New River Valley Agency on Aging.
With help from the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP), a group of six local volunteers and one employee spent the summer and fall deciding who was best served under the Medicare Part D Drug plans from the seniors that could benefit from changing to a new drug plan in 2013.
The group took time to send letters, make personal phone calls and even personal visits to explain just how much some of the elderly could save by switching programs during their open enrolement, which ended December 7.
The end result saved seniors in the New River Valley area a total of $344,880 on their Medicare Part D drug plans.
"This is a wonderful program for the people of the NRV. Not only seniors, but anyone who receives Medicare, Medicaid or disability can use the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program. With the help of six dedicated volunteers, we were able to assist all those who turned to us for help during the enrollment period; and the savings point out just how valuable our service can be. We are happy to help anytime and there is no charge for our service, which is an added bonus for our clients," said VICAP Coordinator Elizabeth Wray.
The New River Valley Agency on Aging VICAP is around all year to help seniors and the disabled to make decisions ranging from Medicare billing and long-term care to assistance for paying for drugs and preventing Medicare fraud. The VICAP program is especially useful to the growing new-to-Medicare baby boomers, who are unsure of their Medicare options.
"This Part D Open Enrollment period was especially successful due to all of the efforts of our staff, volunteers and partners. The amount of collective savings to the Medicare beneficiaries who were assisted is astounding! The implications from the savings not only mean a better financial picture for some, but could also mean better health because they can now afford medications and perhaps more nutritious foods," Agency Director Tina King said.
If you would like more information on the VICAP program, give the New River Valley Agency on Aging a call at (540) 980-7720.
