Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)

The purpose of HICAP is to provide free unbiased counseling and community education on Medicare A, B, C, & D. HICAP completes comparisons on all products of C & D, retiree/employer Group vs. Medicare. HICAP resolves billing issues, and helps apply for appeals.  HICAP’s speaker bureau gives presentations on Medicare 101, Prevention Services, Long Term Care, on all aspects of Medicare products, and on Medicare changes for the new year. HICAP gives advice regarding healthcare insurance options for those contemplating retirement. Advisors can offer assistance with filling out forms, submitting bills, and completing other paperwork necessary for reimbursement.

» Medicare & You 2023 — Official U.S. Government Medicare Handbook (PDF)
» HICAP Information Postcard (PDF)

Medicare Appointments

If you would like to schedule a one-on-one appointment with one of our free, unbiased, Medicare counselors, please click on the box below to fill out the appointment request form online.

For additional information, e-mail HICAP@Ventura.org or call VCAAA’s HICAP department at (805) 477-7300 or 1 (800) 434-0222. You can also download the Comparison-Appointment Request Form and return it to us.

» HICAP Comparison-Appointment Request Form (PDF-English)
» HICAP Comparison-Appointment Request Form (PDF-Spanish)

All Things Medicare & Benefits Enrollment

Videos

Gary knows sports … but he doesn’t know Medicare. He — and anyone in Ventura County — can get help learning about Medicare through the Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP), part of the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging and the Human Services Agency.

Medicare Fraud Public Service Announcements

Frequently Asked Questions

HICAP, short for Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, is funded through the Older American Act. This service is free. The United States Department of Aging sends funding to the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services. HICAP is a national volunteer Medicare program that gives free and unbiased counseling, and comparisons on all Medicare Health Insurance and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans. The HICAP program also resolves Medicare, HMO, and prescription drug complaints for Medicare beneficiaries.

Every year Medicare has its Annual Election Period beginning October 15 through December 7. This is the time all Medicare beneficiaries need to re-evaluate their health plan and prescription drug plan.

Medicare plans change every year, so it is important to reevaluate your plan every year. If you are a low-income subsidiary for Medicare Part D or a Medicare beneficiary, you will have to reevaluate your plan during the open enrollment period. HICAP can help you complete your choice for a plan that is right for you. You want to make sure that you don’t incur more expenses because your plan changes. Be aware that some plans terminate their contract with Medicare.

If you will soon be eligible for Medicare or if you are already a Medicare beneficiary, you can call the HICAP program for a personal appointment to go over all your options on Medicare at 805-477-7310. HICAP services are free and unbiased. We do not sell any products.

Contact Your SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program):
» Click here to visit the California HICAP website, or call 1 (800) 434-0222.

This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $4,163,491.00 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

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