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Health Insurance Counseling Advocacy Program

About

The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) provides free assistance with understanding Medicare and your health insurance options. HICAP offers objective information to help seniors make good decisions about their health care coverage through individual counseling and community education presentations throughout Merced County.

Services

HICAP counseling services are provided by County staff and volunteers registered by the California Department of Aging. HICAP counselors act in good faith to provide their clients with unbiased information about the relative benefits of health insurance policies.

Counselors

HICAP registered counselors assist Medicare beneficiaries of any age in understanding:

Benefits and enrollment
Prescription drug plan coverage
Claims notices
Medicare Advantage plans
Supplemental policies (Medigaps)

The counselors also:

Show how to organize medical bills
Explore long-term care options
Clarify the rights of a health care consumer
Explain Medicare claim denials and assist with Medicare appeals
Explain prescription drug options
Help recognize and combat Medicare fraud and abuse

Learn More

To get more information, set up a counseling appointment, schedule a presentation, or sign up as a volunteer, please call HICAP at (209) 385-7550 or (800) 434-0222. For our participants in the Los Banos or surrounding areas, please call (209) 385-7550 to schedule an appointment, as this is the only way to get these services.

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