Obtain Help with California Medicare Choices and Issues through HICAP

October 5, 2012 California Senior News

Many seniors are frustrated and confused with the bureaucracy underlying the Medicare system in California.  Luckily, there is an Advocacy program for California residents on Medicare called the Aging Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) that offers personal counseling, education and outreach across the community.  This resource is the go-to resource for all assistance with questions and information regarding your Medicare benefits, health plans and prescription drug plans.

Federally Funded Program

This program is a Federal funded grant program whose main purpose is to help states better deliver an effective support network of local programs, volunteers and permanent staffing to help individuals with these critical senior services.  These local offices/programs are staffed and ready to directly assist seniors in the many-times complex and frustrating task of Medicare-related governmental services.

Service Offered at Your Regional HICAP Office

Some of the counseling services and information offered by this agency include but are not limited to the following:  Prescription drug information, low income (Medicaid) help, Medigap plans, Medicare Supplemental policies, Medicare Savings programs, Medicare Advantage plans, using the Medicare appeals processes, billing and claim procedures, disability and long-term care insurance, health care reform details and fraud/abuse issues.

In California, HICAP is your organization of choice to obtain confidential counseling services at various locations/offices throughout the state.  If you need help with such tasks as enrolling in prescription drug plans or purchasing supplemental insurance, then your confidential counselor will take the time to guide you through the options of each plan in order to help you make the most informed and best choice decision for your unique situation.  Filing Medicare and private insurance claims or Medicare appeals is another forte of the staff at your local HICAP office.

Impartial Help is Just a Call Away

As most of the HICAP counselors are volunteers, they are impartial and unbiased in their recommendations.  They will not endorse or recommend any one particular product because they are not salespeople nor make any kind of commission on their work.  Their main purpose is to provide you with the information and support you need to succeed in the Government maze of available senior programs.

The world of Medicare-related services is a much more complex and difficult task with numerous options for configuring your senior year medical services.  Don’t navigate this world on your own when there are free experts out their waiting to help.  For further information and a list of offices call their toll-free number at: 1-800-434-0222 or follow this link to their website: http://www.cahealthadvocates.org/HICAP/