(Posted 2021 April)
“It is very satisfying when you help people,” says Michael Quigley, a volunteer with the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP).
Originally from Hartford, CT, Michael moved to Washington, D.C. to work for NASA in 1965. Although he worked on unmanned missions, it was an exciting time to support the space program. In 1970, he began working on the ground floor of the new Environmental Protection Agency and remained there until he retired in 1999. With an urge to stay active after retirement, Michael started looking for volunteer work, “When you retire, you don’t want to just put your feet up. You want to keep busy.”
With a mind for numbers, Michael began volunteering for an AARP tax preparation service. After a few years, he learned about VICAP and saw he could provide an invaluable service through that program. At first, he was hesitant to volunteer for VICAP because he was not very knowledgeable about healthcare and health insurance, but after attending the trainings and knowing he would always have support from staff, he started as a VICAP volunteer in 2010.
Navigating Medicare can be complicated and many people do not understand their options. By providing unbiased, factual information to Medicare recipients via phone, Michael knows he has saved people money and helped them receive medications at the best rates available. He finds great satisfaction in making such an impact on people’s lives.
Get help understanding Medicare, Medigap, drug plans and long-term care insurance, by calling VICAP at 703-324-5851, TTY 711 or sending an email.
This article is part of the Department of Family Services Older Adults Volunteer Solutions Caring Community Updates e-news – providing a variety of updates and articles about our volunteers in action. Learn more about Volunteer Solutions.