Medicare reliably covers a wide range of medical services but a lot of people experience times when Medicare or a provider tells them that a service is not covered.  These determinations are not always correct, and there are steps (e.g., Appeal Rights) one can take to have these determinations reviewed and often-times revised.  Curious to learn more? Join representatives from Arlington's State Health Insurance and Assistance Program (SHIP) to learn about Medicare Coverage and Appeals. Within their presentation, representatives will discuss Medicare Basic Appeals, help understanding Medicare benefits and options, how to take the first steps in filing an appeal, and finding help in the process.

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About Michelle Thomas, MPA, Program Coordinator, Arlington Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program

Michelle Thomas serves as Program Coordinator of the Arlington Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP), where she leads a fast-paced consumer counseling program for older adults and persons with disabilities, explaining the facets of Medicare’s benefits, coverage rules, written notices and forms, Medicaid, and more. Michelle and her team coordinate with local, State and Federal agencies to improve service delivery and enhance individuals quality of care. Prior to VICAP, Michelle fulfilled various roles within Arlington’s Aging and Disability Services Division coordinating benefits and services and spearheading programs that help older adults and persons with disabilities maintain their highest level of independence. In addition to VICAP, Michelle serves as a staff liaison to Arlington’s Commission on Aging and a subset of the Commission; Arlington’s Aging Equity and Engagement Committee. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work, a Master of Public Administration, and is a member of the Virginia Local Government Management Association (VLGMA).

About Charles (Charlie) Sabatino, J.D., Counselor, Arlington Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program

Charles (Charlie) P. Sabatino is a volunteer State Health Insurance and Assistance (SHIP) counselor for the Arlington, Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP). Professionally, he works as an independent consultant on aging and law after retiring from serving as Director of the American Bar Association’s Commission on Law and Aging from 2005 to 2022.  Prior to that, he served as Senior Counsel to the Commission since 1984, and as senior law project counsel for Legal Services of Northern Virginia from 1979 to 1984.  He is currently a member of the Arlington Commission on Aging; a board member of the Center for Medicare Advocacy; an active member of the American Bar Association Section on Civil Rights and Social Justice; and a Fellow and former president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Mr. Sabatino also served as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center where he taught Aging and Law from 1987 to 2020.