Unlocking Your Benefits: Financial Relief Tips for Older Vermonters

Join a live conversation with AARP Vermont and Leigh Purvis, Prescription Drug Policy Principal of the AARP Public Policy Institute, on Wednesday, November 12 at 4:00 p.m. to get YOUR questions answered about Medicare and prescription drug cost savings.

Dial in to the call at 833-380-0683 or tune in on the AARP Vermont Facebook page.

Older adults leave billions of dollars in government aid on the table each year and don’t even realize it. That money could help cover utilities, rent, health care, and prescription drugs. 

Prices on many goods and services are still high, and some older Americans are struggling with their bills. Several federally funded programs are effective in defraying some of those increases, yet they go unused year after year. 

We’ll explore tips for navigating benefits programs for prescription drugs and other costs so you can maximize your savings and keep more of your hard-earned money in your bank account. Join the conversation on Wednesday, November 12 at 4:00 p.m.

Questions about Medicare Plans?
Visit https://www.aarp.org/medicare/ to access tips and updates to make your health care costs easier to manage.

**Brief Overview of Medicare**
Original Medicare consists of Part A and Part B. Part A helps cover inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing care, some home care, and hospice care, while Part B covers doctors' services, diagnostic screenings, lab tests, outpatient care, and preventive services. Since Original Medicare doesn't cover prescription drugs that you get from a pharmacy, you can purchase a separate Part D plan, and you may also add a Medigap (or Medicare supplemental) policy to help with deductibles and copayments.

Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Part C, are offered by private companies that contract with Medicare to provide all Part A and Part B benefits in one plan. Most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage (Part D), making them an all-in-one option. In 2025, more than half (54%) of eligible Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, though it's important to note these plans typically restrict you to specific networks of doctors and hospitals.