Community Services
9. Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program
The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), available in all 58 counties in California, provides counseling and planning services to individuals and families with problems with Medicare and other health insurance.
HICAP serves current Medicare beneficiaries and those planning for future health and long term care needs. The counseling provided is confidential and free of charge.
HICAP trains and registers more than 600 volunteer counselors for appointments and home visits to seniors -- and they are available for appointments in a wide range of settings such as Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers, senior nutrition sites, libraries, hospitals, and community centers.
Specifically, HICAP offers information and advice on:
- Medicare coverage benefits and rights;
- How to appeal Medicare fee-for-service and HMO denials of coverage;
- Legal help and representation at Medicare appeals and administrative hearings;
- Medigap and Medi-Cal coverage;
- Retiree or employer group health coverage;
- Long-term care insurance;
- Health care consumer rights; and
- Community-based social and aging program services.
HICAP also offers free educational presentations to groups of Medicare beneficiaries, their families or providers on a variety of Medicare and other health insurance related topics.
For more information, call the hotline at 800-434-0222 or contact the local HICAP office.