HICAP Program

Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program

Get free help for Medicare beneficiaries who need assistance with understanding Medicare benefits, supplemental plans and long-term care policies, and help with insurance appeals.

Who We Are

Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) is a Valley Caregiver Resource Center non-profit, state-funded counseling program that helps Medicare beneficiaries of any age make informed choices regarding health care benefits. HICAP staff are trained, experienced counselors who are registered with the California Department of Aging (CDA). HICAP volunteer counselors are also registered with the CDA.

What We Do

HICAP provides free and unbiased community education and individual counseling to Medicare beneficiaries about the following:

• Medicare benefits and rights
• Medicare supplemental plans
• Medicare savings plans
• Prescription drug plans
• Medicare Advantage plans
• Long Term Care policy analysis
• Appeals and billing problems

HICAP services are free for all people with Medicare

Who We Serve

• Current Medicare beneficiaries
• Adult children and other representatives of Medicare beneficiaries
• People 65 years and over who are eligible for Medicare or are planning for retirement
• People younger than 65 who are eligible for Medicare due to disability
• People needing information on Long Term Care insurance

Where Do We Serve

HICAP offers multiple counseling sites with community partnerships throughout Fresno and Madera counties. Call our office staff at (559) 224-9117 for locations and times to make an appointment.

Community Education Services

Fresno-Madera HICAP also sponsors in-depth workshops, seminars, panel discussions and community education forums on a variety of Medicare and health-insurance related topics. HICAP would be happy to discuss joint-participation with other health-based or senior groups in the area, including senior housing facilities. HICAP welcomes every opportunity to share Medicare information with groups as such:

• Professional associations
• Community groups
• Senior centers
• Unions
• Women’s groups
• Political clubs
• Benevolent organizations
• Any other interested group

Again, there is no charge for any HICAP service. Call our office staff for more information or to schedule a presentation.

Volunteer Opportunities

Do you enjoy helping people? Do you seek to make an impact? Becoming a HICAP Registered Volunteer Counselor may be for you! As a Registered HICAP Volunteer, you will help Medicare beneficiaries make choices about how they receive their prescription drugs and health care services. Here are some of the duties that HICAP Registered Volunteer Counselors fulfill:

• Counsel persons needing help with Medicare
• Provide administrative support in the HICAP office
• Participate in outreach activities throughout your community
• Provide educational presentations to the public
• Distribute HICAP and Medicare brochures at health fairs and other community events
• Work on special projects

You will be trained on Medicare benefits and exclusions and receive reference materials for use on the phone or in the field. For more details, please call the Fresno-Madera Volunteer Coordinator at 559-224-9117 or 1-800-434-0220