UNDERSTANDING MEDICARE PLANS

MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLANS ARE CONFUSING. Sorting through options for

parts A, B and D — or choosing to enroll in part C — takes time and mental energy, two things most of us have in short supply. Help is here. ounded in 199 , alifornia Health dvocates ( H ) is the leading Medicare advocacy and education nonprofit in alifornia. hrough its Health Insurance ounseling dvocacy Program (HI P) it offers free, one-on-one Medicare counseling.

Trained volunteer counselors answer questions to help you understand Medicare rights and benefits, including Medicare supplemental insurance (Medigap policies) and Medicare Advantage plans. They do not sell, recommend or endorse any insurance product, agent, insurance company or health plan. Rather, they explain in detail, using comparative charts, how

Trained HICAP volunteer counselors can answer questions to help you understand medicare rights and benefits. to evaluate your needs and find a plan that fits.

The CHA website provides Medicare information organized by topic, with English and Spanish podcasts available in several sections. HICAP also provides free educational presentations on Medicare and related topics. These include how to appeal denials of coverage, employee and retiree coverage, and long-term care insurance. Legal help and representation at Medicare appeals or administrative hearings is also available.

In addition to personal counseling and education, HICAP advocates with federal and state legislators on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries and their families. It also conducts public policy research to support improved rights and protections, and frequently partners with other statewide and national organizations to promote policies that positively impact Medicare.

Although CHA supports HICAP through its membership program, training, technical assistance and educational materials, they are separate programs. HICAP is run through the California Department on Aging, which also manages its 1- 00- 0222 hotline.