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.
Medicare 101
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 | 10:00AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Virtual
Medicare 101, led by the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP), is for individuals and their care partners who will soon be eligible for Medicare or currently have Medicare and would like to learn more about it. This presentation will include:
- An overview of Medicare
- Medicare Enrollment Periods
- Costs and Benefits
- What’s new in Medicare for 2026
Meeting details will be sent to participants the Friday afternoon before the presentation. Registration is required. Register by Friday, February 6.
Register in one of three easy ways:
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Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
The annual Medicare Advantage (MA) Open Enrollment Period runs from January 1st through March 31st each year. During this time, Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan as of January 1st may switch to another MA plan with or without drug coverage. Alternatively, the beneficiary may drop their MA plan and return to Original Medicare by enrolling in a Part D prescription drug plan.
Click here to view Arlington VICAP’s website to learn more and obtain help with Medicare plan options.
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Announcement of Negotiated Prices for 2027 Selected Prescription Drugs
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the negotiated prices for 15 high-expenditure, single-source drugs and biological products under the second round of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. The prescription drugs covered under Medicare Part D include Ozempic and Wegovy, Telegy Ellipta, and Xtandi. The negotiated prices, known as maximum fair prices, are based on negotiations and agreements reached between CMS and participating drug companies, and take effect on January 1, 2027. CMS estimates that Medicare beneficiaries will save $685 million in out-of-pocket costs. Click Here to see CMS' Press Release.
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February is American Heart Month
February is American Heart Month. Since 1999, the rate of deaths from coronary heart disease and stroke in America has declined. While much progress has been achieved in reducing the death rate, heart disease and stroke still remain the number one and number three causes of death in the U.S., and a major cause of disability and reduced quality of life. Found more often among people aged 65 or older, heart disease is largely preventable.
Medicare provides coverage of the following cardiovascular screening blood tests for the early detection of cardiovascular disease or abnormalities associated with an elevated risk of heart disease and stroke:
• Total Cholesterol Test
• Cholesterol Test for High-density Lipoproteins
• Triglycerides Test
Coverage of cardiovascular screening blood tests is provided as a Medicare Part B benefit. The beneficiary will pay nothing for the blood tests (there is no coinsurance or copayment and no deductible for this benefit). Click here to read more or visit the National Heart, Lung, and Blood institute website for additional resources.
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Scammers are impersonating the United States Patent and Trademark Office
Virginia SMP | November 28, 2025
If you own a business or know someone who does, you know how important a trademark is for protecting your intellectual property. Scammers do, too, and they’re impersonating the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to steal your money. Here’s how the scam works. (Read More)
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Dear VICAP Team,
What will I pay for Medicare in 2026?
Dear Medicare Beneficiary,
Medicare costs change annually, so it’s great that you asked! Here’s a snapshot of what you can expect for 2026:
Part A (Hospital Insurance)
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Premiums:
- Free if you or your spouse worked at least 10 years or more in jobs that meet Social Security Requirements
- $311/month if you worked 7.5–10 years.
- $565/month if you worked fewer than 7.5 years.
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Hospital Deductible: $1,736 per benefit period.
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Hospital Coinsurance:
- $0 for the first 60 inpatient days per benefit period.
- $434/day for days 61–90.
- $868/day for each lifetime reserve day beyond 90 days (you have 60 lifetime reserve days total).
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Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF):
- $0 for the first 20 days.
- $217/day for days 21–100.
Part B (Medical Insurance)
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Premium: $202.90/month.
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Deductible: $283/year.
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Coinsurance: Typically 20% for most covered services.
Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage)
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Average Premium: $38.99/month.
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Maximum Deductible: $615/year.
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Out-of-Pocket Limit: $2,100.
- People with Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, or limited income may qualify for Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy) to reduce costs.
If you have a Medigap policy, you’ll pay an additional monthly premium (usually $100–$300) to help cover out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-covered services. These premiums are separate from Part B and Part D costs.
If you choose a Medicare Advantage Plan, you’ll still pay the Part B premium and possibly an extra premium for the plan. Most Advantage Plans include Part D coverage, and the combined premium will be listed in your plan details. Each September, you’ll receive an Evidence of Coverage (EOC) or Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) outlining any updates for the next year.
 Interested in joining our team? Click here to complete an online volunteer application or 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
Visit our website to learn more.
Use the QR code or click here.
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