VI SHIP/Medicare has launched a series of events to  reach program beneficiaries, caregivers and persons who will soon be eligible for Medicare. In addition to hosting Medicare Senior Days, they also welcomed the community to town hall meetings held on January 26 and 27th, on St. Thomas and St. Croix, respectively.
 
The town hall meetings gave participants the opportunity to speak directly with representatives from the New York Regional Office for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Lt. Governor Gregory Francis, who serves as the territory’s Commissioner of Insurance and also chairs the Healthcare Reform Implementation Task Force.  Approximately 50 people attended the town hall meeting on St. Croix.
 
Lt. Governor Francis encouraged the audience to participate in the discussion.  “Today is an opportunity to ask questions regarding Medicare, because we have the experts here to answer your questions.”  CMS Administrator James Kerr spoke about the changes to Medicare resulting from the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which include the expanded scope of CMS.
 
Participants asked questions about eligibility, income requirements, the lack of a managed Medicare program and allowable costs permitted under Medicare. Dr. Nilsa Gutierrez, Chief Medical Officer of CMS Region II, said  “CMS is aware of the problems in the Virgin Islands, many of which result from the limited amount of funding the territory has to spend.”  She noted that the administration is considering how best to redesign the healthcare system. 
 
Tim Abraham of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, was on hand to discuss Medicare fraud and identity theft.  Atty. Abraham advised beneficiaries to carefully  check their summary notices to be sure what they are being billed for.  He also encouraged the audience to contact the Senior Medicare Patrol Program or the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (340)774-5757 or 773-3920 to  report violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 
 
For more information about VI SHIP/Medicare, contact VI SHIP Coordinator Rena Sarauw or her staff at (340)772-7368 on St. Croix or 714-4354.