While the annual Medicare enrollment period does not begin until Oct. 15, Bay Aging’s Vice President of Advocacy Resources Lisa Walker said this is a great time to speak with one of Bay Aging’s Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP) counselors.

“Now is a really great time to call,” Walker said. “Call volumes are not as heavy as they are during a typical Medicare enrollment period and there is always lots of information to share with Medicare beneficiaries or their caregivers. Social Security’s ‘Extra Help’ program can save people up to $5,000 a year on Medicare prescription drug plan costs. There are also expanded telehealth options available to Medicare recipients that many consumers may not be familiar with.”

COVID-19 has limited the number of in-person presentations to area churches, civic organizations, libraries and other community groups, that Walker typically does. Yet, she noted that “most of our counseling work is done over the phone and rarely req...