Tuesday, September 11, 2012

HICAP Health Insurance & Advocacy Program- Medicare info and counseling




HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program) offers free, one-on-one Medicare counseling. Trained volunteer counselors can answer your questions and help you understand your Medicare rights and benefits, including how to appeal denials of coverage; Medicare supplemental insurance (Medigap policies); Medicare Advantage plans; employee and retiree coverage; and long-term care insurance. Legal help and representation at Medicare appeals or adminstrative hearings are also available.
HICAP provides free educational presentations on Medicare and related topics. Call your local HICAP to schedule a presentation or find out about one happening in your area.
HICAP counselors do not sell, recommend, or endorse any insurance product, agent, insurance company, or health plan.
The California Department of Aging administers this volunteer-supported program and CHA supports the HICAPs through trainings, technical assistance and up-to-date consumer materials, including our website and fact sheets.
In Los Angeles County this program is available through the Center for Health Care Rights:  (213) 383-4519 or toll free (800) 824-0780.  In case you do not know, Medicare is a Federal program that provides health insurance for people 65 years old and older.  It is administered and begins at the Social Security office.  Some adults and young people with disabilities can receive Medicare.  HICAP volunteers can answer questions about this program and guide people through the process.  An individual can receive both Medicare and Medi-CAL, which funds the IHSS program in California.  In every other state in the USA Medi-CAL is called Medcaid. 



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