The Community of Vermont Elders (COVE), a statewide nonprofit senior advocacy organization based in Montpelier, recently announced that its Vermont Senior Medicare Patrol program (VTSMP) has expanded its efforts in the southern half of the state.
The VTSMP program focuses on empowering seniors to fight Medicare fraud, error, abuse, and waste through educational presentations and humorous skits put on by their Savvy Seniors performers. The goal is to start conversations about Medicare, coverage, benefits, and scams.
VTSMP conducts presentations statewide that focus on specific types of fraud and consumer protection issues. It also helps connect Medicare beneficiaries with services that help maintain their independence. COVE works hard to enhance senior independence through advocating for low-income subsidies for such things as home heating and prescription drug coverage, as well as transportation and kinship rights.
VTSMP's ongoing partnership with the regional Agencies on Aging's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) helps further ensure that seniors can locate necessary services when they are needed. Through this partnership, the group can provide education on all aspects of Medicare as well as the prevention of fraud, which costs Medicare about $90 billion per year nationally.
Open Enrollment for Medicare begins on Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7.
Older adults with questions about Part D coverage or supplemental “Medigap” plans, who want information on how to protect themselves from direct sales scams, or have questions about billing errors or benefits and services, can visit any one of the VTSMP presentations that will be offered at the Brattleboro Senior Center on the third Tuesday of the month, at 8 a.m. and noon, and at the Bellows Falls Senior Center on the third Friday of the month at noon.
VTSMP is also seeking volunteers, age 50 and over, to help with presentations, office work, outreach, and promotion. Opportunities for training are available. Mileage is reimbursed. For more information about becoming a volunteer or hosting a VTSMP presentation in the Southern Vermont area, contact Kelly McElheny, Southern Vermont outreach and volunteer coordinator, at 802-440-1528 or Kelly@vermontelders.org.