Medicare beneficiaries, we have good news for you. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced an extension to the Emergency and Major Disease Special Election Period (SEP) for those impacted by Hurricane Michael, and that includes the state of Virginia.

During this SEP (December 8, 2018 – February 28, 2019), eligible recipients can enroll, dis-enroll or switch Medicare Advantage or Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans. Enrollments or changes will be effective during the first of the month after the request has been received.

Virginia Premier received our first accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) in 2007. Since then, we have maintained focus on improving quality throughout the organization, especially in the areas of operational efficiencies, member satisfaction and access to care. Our efforts have paid off. Recently, NCQA recently awarded Virginia Premier a Commendable accreditation status (upgraded from Accredited), which meets VCU’s strategic goal of reaching the next accreditation level in 2018.

The Virginia Premier Neighborhood Health Center hosted Virginia legislators and community leaders today to showcase its health care facility, expansion of OB/GYN services and the formal change of its name.

“Our new name, Virginia Premier Neighborhood Health Center, more accurately reflects our purpose within the Roanoke area,” said Hillary Whonder-Genus, M.D., medical director at the center. “Because we live and work within the community we serve, we truly feel we are neighbors helping neighbors improve their health.”

Two decades ago, Virginia Premier became a wholly owned entity of the VCU Health System, cementing an important partnership in providing access to affordable, quality health care to thousands of Virginians.