DUE TO COVID-19 AND HEALTH OFFICIAL RECCOMENDATIONS, ALL VCRC SPONSORED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES WILL BE OFFERED BY PHONE, EMAIL AND/OR VIDEOCONFERENCING. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 800-541-8614. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT YOUR FAMILY CONSULTANT OR CARE MANAGER DIRECTLY.
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.
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.
HICAP provides free and unbiased community education and individual counseling to Medicare beneficiaries about the following:
Appeals and billing problems HICAP services are free for all people with Medicare
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.
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:
Again, there is no charge for any HICAP service. Call our office staff for more information or to schedule a presentation.
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:
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
Laurie Wales Director, HICAP
Phone: (559) 224-9117 or (800) 434-0222
Email: lwales@valleycrc.org
HICAP is a member of the National State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) network.
This project was supported, in part by grant number 90SAPG0052-02-01, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.
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