About HICAP
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The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) is a volunteer-supported program that provides unbiased information to help Medicare beneficiaries make the best choices for their individual health care needs. The California Department of Aging administers HICAP services.
HICAP offers information and counseling on:
- Medicare benefits and rights
- Changes in Medicare and Medicare-related coverage
- How to appeal Medicare fee-for-service and HMO denials of coverage
- Legal help and representation at Medicare appeals and administrative hearings
- Private supplemental insurance (MediGap) coverage
- Medicare and Medi-Cal coverage
- Medicare Advantage plans (formerly known as Medicare HMOs) and Medicare+Choice plans
- Retiree or employer group health coverage
- Long-term care insurance
- Health care consumer rights
- Referral to community-based social and aging program services
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 maintenance organization (HMO).
HICAP counseling is available in every county in California — see the list of HICAP offices. Counselors can make house calls for the homebound. Please call 1-800-434-0222 for an appointment with a local HICAP counselor in your California county.
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Page updated May 1, 2008