Office of the Lieutenant Governor - US Virgin Islands

🦼 MEDICARE COVERAGE FOR DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT (DME) – SPECIAL INFORMATION FOR VIRGIN ISLANDS BENEFICIARIES
The Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Virgin Island State Health Insurance Assistance Program (VI SHIP) remind Virgin Islands Medicare beneficiaries about important coverage for Durable Medical Equipment (DME).
🏥❓ WHAT IS DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT (DME)?
DME means items like wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, or oxygen supplies that you need for your health at home.
🦽 WHAT DOES MEDICARE COVER?
Medicare Part B or D covers DME your doctor prescribes for home use, like:
• Wheelchairs & scooters
• Walkers & canes
• Hospital beds
• Oxygen equipment
• Nebulizers & supplies
• CPAP devices and supplies
• Blood sugar monitors & strips
📝 HOW TO GET DME:
1. Visit Your Doctor: Schedule an appointment and discuss your needs.
2. Get a prescription if needed.
3. Provide Information: Be ready to share your Medicare number and health information with your doctor and DME supplier.
📍 WHERE TO GET DME IN THE VI:
• Use a Medicare-approved supplier: www.medicare.gov/supplierdirectory
• Ask your doctor or clinic for suggestions.
• Make sure the supplier accepts Medicare assignment to save money.
📞 Have Medicare questions? Call VI SHIP — FREE counseling available!
St. Thomas/St. John (340-774-2991 Ext. 4507 or 4508) or St. Croix (340-773-6449 Ext. 3151 or 3152).
You may qualify for more help than you think! 💙

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ROACH
MEMORIAL DAY MESSAGE

Today we recall with reverence our military service men and women who gave their life while serving our country. Memorial Day is a solemn day of reflection and gratitude for their ultimate sacrifices to defend the freedoms we enjoy in this nation. In observance of this sacred day, I extend prayers for God’s grace, strength, and comfort to the families who mourn continually their loved ones lost to the call of duty.

This year’s observance under the theme, “For We Are Grateful,” encompasses the true significance of Memorial Day. There are many avenues to express our gratitude to our fallen heroes. Whether we attend military parades and ceremonies, assemble at a place of worship, participate in any special acts of service, or gather with family and friends, we honor the significance of this day with deep appreciation. We are grateful for their acts of patriotism, their valor, their bravery, and selfless service.

I pause especially to remember our Virgin Islands military service men and women who have fought on American and foreign soil. Their courage was instrumental in preserving liberty and justice for countless lives in our Territory and in the Nation. The commitment that they made by offering service above self will never be forgotten.

While remembering those who died during their course of duty, I also pray for the lives and safety of those who currently serve, and I applaud family members for their sacrifices as well. We enjoy many privileges because of their selfless acts.

We remain grateful, steadfast, and indebted for their unwavering dedication to duty. Forever in our hearts will their memory live on. May everyone have a safe and blessed Memorial Day.

Lieutenant Governor Tregenza A. Roach Esq. extends Mother's Day greetings to all mothers near and far, and to those who do the work of mothering to so many in our community. We are so very grateful for your divine presence.

May you be surrounded by love, happiness, and joy this Mother's Day. Continue to be blessed in all aspects of your daily lives.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MOURNS THE PASSING OF FORMER SENATOR RONALD E. RUSSELL

I join a deeply saddened Virgin Islands community in mourning the loss of former Virgin Islands Senator Ronald E. Russell, who was an accomplished attorney, musician, athlete, and political activist. I pray for God’s comfort for his family, his loved ones, and for all those who mourn his passing.

Senator Russell and I shared many common pathways in service to the Territory. We were both admitted to the Virgin Islands Bar at around the same time. He provided legal counsel to the Virgin Islands Board of Education when I served as Executive Director. Although during different terms, we both served as senators in the Virgin Islands Legislature. He was elected as the President of the 29th Legislature and was a profound proponent of economic development for his birthplace, the island of St. Croix. I began my legislative service the following term, as a member of the 30th Legislature.

Additionally, Senator Russell was elected as a Delegate to the Sixth Constitutional Convention. On many occasions we were actively engaged in multiple conversations about the future of the Virgin Islands, the status of the Territory, and other issues of political development. Senator Russell was a well-rounded and community-oriented individual. He practiced civil litigation and administrative law at The Russell Law Firm LLP, and he was also a culture bearer for the Virgin Islands. He was passionate about his interest in music and in other areas of the humanities, and he was a former sprinter who represented the Virgin Islands in several international athletic competitions.

Senator Russell will always be remembered for his leadership, advocacy, and many contributions to the Virgin Islands. I share my deepest sympathies with his wife Royette Russell, Esq., who was also a colleague, and fellow University of the Virgin Islands alumni. My prayers are also extended to his children, other family members, friends, and members of the Virgin Islands Bar, as many called him both colleague and friend.

May he now rest in peace.

🌸 MAY IS NATIONAL WELLNESS MONTH! 🌸

The Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Virgin Islands State Health Insurance Assistance Program (VI SHIP) reminds all Medicare beneficiaries — your health is your greatest asset, and Medicare wants to help you protect it!

✅ DID YOU KNOW MEDICARE COVERS THESE FREE PREVENTIVE SERVICES?

🩺 "Welcome to Medicare" Preventive Visit New to Medicare? Schedule this FREE one-time visit within your first 12 months of Part B coverage. Your provider will review your health history, check your Body Mass Index (BMI), perform a vision test, and give you a personalized checklist of screenings and vaccines you may need.

📅 Annual Wellness Visit (AWV).
Already on Medicare? You are entitled to a FREE wellness visit every 12 months! This visit helps you and your doctor develop or update a personalized prevention plan based on your current health and risk factors. It may include:
✔️ Blood pressure, height & weight measurements
✔️ Cognitive assessment
✔️ Depression screening
✔️ Fall risk evaluation
✔️ Review of current medications
✔️ Physical activity & nutrition assessment (NEW in 2026!)
💡 IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
🔹 These visits are FREE if your provider accepts Medicare assignment.
🔹 The Annual Wellness Visit is NOT the same as a routine physical — be sure to ask your doctor what Medicare will cover during your visit to avoid unexpected costs.
🔹 You do NOT need a "Welcome to Medicare" visit to qualify for the Annual Wellness Visit.

Do not wait until you are sick to see your doctor. Prevention is the best medicine — and Medicare is here to help you stay ahead of your health! 💙

📞 Have questions about your Medicare benefits? Contact VI SHIP — We are here to help, FREE of charge!
St. Thomas / St. John: 📱 340-774-2991, ext. 4507 or 4508
St. Croix: 📱 340-773-6449, ext. 3151 or 3152

PROPERTY TAX AMNESTY WAIVER OF ALL INTEREST AND PENALITIES WILL END ON MAY 4, 2026

Access the Citizen Access Portal at https://propertytax.vi.gov or contact the Office of the Tax Collector to obtain tax status reports, which provide details of taxes, sewer fees, interest, and penalties.

Persons having any questions or needing additional information may contact the Office of the Tax Collector at 340-773-6449 for the St. Croix District or 340-774-2991 for the St. Thomas/St. John District.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ROACH ANNOUNCES WAIVER OF ALL INTEREST AND PENALTIES ON REAL PROPERTY TAX

Lieutenant Governor Tregenza A. Roach, Esq. informs the public that he has authorized the Office of the Tax Collector to grant amnesty by waiving all interest and penalties on real property tax for fifteen business days. This mandate is pursuant to Act No. 9087, establishing a 15-business day period for the waiver of penalties and interest on outstanding property taxes.

The waiver will be effective as of April 9, 2026, and will end on May 4, 2026. Interest and penalties will be waived on property taxes if the full principal amount due in property taxes and sewer fees is received for a given tax year, starting with the oldest tax year balance first. If the full principal amount of taxes and sewer fees is paid before the amnesty ends, interest and penalties will be waived for the applicable tax year.

Customers who currently have active payment plans for the payment of delinquent property taxes must first contact the Office of the Tax Collector to cancel their installment payment plan to access the amnesty. A property owner may not have an installment payment plan and the amnesty feature at the same time.

Property owners are encouraged to access the Citizen Access Portal at https://propertytax.vi.gov or contact the Office of the Tax Collector to obtain tax status reports, which provide details of taxes, sewer fees, interest, and penalties. Persons having any questions or needing additional information may contact the Office of the Tax Collector at 340-773-6449 for the St. Croix District or 340-774-2991 for the St. Thomas/St. John District.