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Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)

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Medicare is often complex and confusing. HICAP offers free counseling, education, and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries who need assistance navigating and understanding Medicare rights and benefits, supplemental plans, prescription drug coverage, understanding long-term care insurance, and appealing Medicare claim denials.

Who We Are

HICAP is part of the national network of State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP) and is the most dependable source of unbiased and accurate Medicare related information. HICAP services are provided by highly trained volunteer counselors who are registered with the California Department of Aging (CDA) to assist seniors, disabled adults and their families with free and unbiased Medicare Counseling.

State Health Insurance Assistance Program Logo
California Department of Aging

What We Do

HICAP Provides free and unbiased community education and confidential individual counseling to Medicare beneficiaries and their families. Services provided include:

  • Medicare rights and benefits
  • Medicare supplemental plans
  • Medicare savings program applications
  • Prescription drug plans
  • Medicare Advantage plans
  • Appeals and billing problems
  • Long-Term Care insurance consultations
  • Medicare Fraud and Abuse

HICAP does not sell, endorse, promote or recommend commercial insurance products or services.

Who We Serve

  • Persons 65 years of age or older and eligible for Medicare
  • Persons younger than age 65 years of age with a disability and eligible for Medicare
  • Persons soon to be eligible for Medicare
  • Family and other representatives of Medicare beneficiaries

HICAP services are free for all people with Medicare

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 SMP logo

Protect Yourself from Medicare Fraud

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to PREVENT, DETECT, and REPORT health care fraud, errors, and abuse.

The HICAP program works closely with SMP to help preserve the integrity of the Medicare program by recovering and avoiding the billions of dollars typically lost to health care fraud each year.

Click Here to learn more!

 

Contact Information

Address:
Kern County Aging and Adult Services
5357 Truxtun Ave. (just east of Mohawk)
Bakersfield, CA 93309
ATTN: Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program
Map/Directions

Phone: (661) 868-1000
Toll Free: (800) 434-0222
Fax: (661) 868-0922
Email: aginginfo@352396.com

Program Director:

  • Colleen Philley: (661) 868-1094

Program Manager:

  • Lupe Garcia: (661) 868-1067

Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator:

  • Carolina Oehler: (661) 868-1058