August, 2010:
What's New
There are many new dates for the Welcome to Medicare class at some locations; follow this link for the schedule through December, 2010.
The Concord Senior Center will be closed on some Fridays when we would normally have counseling appointments. Follow this link to see a list of these dates.
Medicare has mailed a flyer, Medicare and the New Health Care Law – What it Means for You to all Medicare recipients. It outlines how Medicare is changing under the new health care law: what stays the same, improvements you will see right away and those you will see soon, and information of value for seniors. Look for this flyer in your mailbox.
Links to information from the Medicare Rights Center defining how the new Health Care reforms will benefit Medicare recipients have been added to our Resources page. To learn more, follow this link
Medigap plans changed as of June 1, 2010. If you have or are planning to sign up for a Medigap plan, often referred to as a Medicare Supplement plan, read the update on our Resources page; follow this link.
Help! I’m going to hit the ‘Donut
Hole’ – What can I do?
There's a link on our "Donut Hole" page to NeedyMeds.org, a site that lists assistance programs that help with the costs of medicine and healthcare, and we have information about the $250 rebate for 2010; follow this link
We have a Medi-Cal fact sheet for seniors who live in Contra Costa County. To visit our ‘Medi-Cal Facts for Seniors’ page, follow this link.
Welcome to Contra Costa County HICAP
What is HICAP?
HICAP is the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program for those who are eligible for Medicare and who are living in California. It is sponsored nationally by Medicare; in California by the State of California Department of Aging; and in Contra Costa County by the County Department of Aging and Adult Services Area Agency on Aging. In California HICAP services are available in every county. Click here to go to the California Health Advocates webpage where there is a list of telephone numbers for other HICAP offices in California if you don't live in Contra Costa County. The HICAP telephone number for information and inquiries for Contra Costa County residents is 925-602-4163.
All other states and several U.S. Territories have similar programs; many of those use the name SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program), others use the name HICAP, and others have their own name for their program. Click here to go to the Medicare.gov webpage where there is a list of contact information for other states if you don't live in California.
HICAP provides free, unbiased information and
counseling about Medicare and related health insurance,
including long term care insurance. This way you won't
have to navigate the huge amount of information by
yourself.
HICAP also helps with Medicare claims and appeals, helps with referrals for legal assistance for health insurance
matters when necessary, and provides information to people who need extra help with the costs of their health care.
Click here for a list of phone numbers where you can make an appointment to get one-on-one counseling at locations throughout Contra Costa County.
Counseling is offered by volunteers who receive extensive training and are registered with the State of California Department of Aging, per the Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 9785 (c) Chapter 869, Statutes of 1990. Contra Costa County HICAP also provides community education on Medicare and health related issues.
HICAP does not sell, endorse, or recommend any specific insurance product or service.
What should you look for when shopping for health insurance?
- Compare premiums
- Compare deductibles and copays
- Buy from a reputable agent
- Beware of sales pressure
- Meet with a HICAP counselor!
- List companies offering Medicare health plans
- Compare companies and their policies
- Get a written outline of coverage from each plan
- Investigate coverage and limits of each policy
- Check eligibility requirements and restrictions