Medicare Counseling and Community Education
Where to Get Help
If you need help with Medicare or other health care issues, you can get free individual counseling through the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP).
HICAP offers information and counseling on:
- Medicare benefits and rights, including how to appeal denials of coverage
- Legal help and representation at Medicare appeals and administrative hearings
- Private supplemental insurance (MediGap) coverage
- Medicare Advantage plans [Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), Private-Fee-For-Service (PFFS) plans, Special Needs Plans (SNPs), and Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs)]
- Retiree or employer group health coverage
- Long-term care insurance
- Your rights as a health care consumer
- HICAP counseling is available every county in California. Counselors can make house calls for the home-bound.
To make an appointment with a HICAP counselor in your county, call 1-800-434-0222.
See a list of HICAP offices by county.
Scheduling a Community Education Presentation
HICAP offers free educational presentations on Medicare and related topics such as Medicare supplemental insurance, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, low-income assistance programs, long term care insurance, and more. If you are part of a group or organization of beneficiaries, families, and/or service providers and would like to schedule a presentation or get more information, contact your local HICAP office. You can also call your local HICAP to find out about what presentations are currently happening in your area.
About HICAP
HICAP is a volunteer-supported program that provides unbiased information to help you make the best choice for your individual health care needs. Volunteer counselors receive many hours of continuing training and are registered with the State of California.
HICAP services are free, and counselors do not sell, recommend, or endorse any insurance product, agent, insurance company, or health plan.
The California Department of Aging administers HICAP services.
Page updated April 29, 2008