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ATTENTION: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! If you speak another language, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call TTY: 1-800-735-2922 or 711

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  • Home
  • Advisory Council
    • Member Biographies
    • Agendas
    • Subcommittees
    • Become a Member
    • In Memoriam
  • Our Services
    • Aging & Disability Resource Center
      • Information & Assistance
    • Benefit Enrollment Center
    • Care Management & Social Services
      • In-Home Support
      • Caregiver Services
    • Digital Resources
    • Emergency Services
    • Fall Prevention
      • Fall Prevention Forum
    • Health Insurance Counseling (HICAP)
    • Housing
    • Legal and Financial Services
    • Nursing Facility Services
    • Senior Employment Training
    • Senior Nutrition Program
      • Food and Meal Resources
      • Health Promotion Programs
      • Senior Nutrition Garden
      • Recipes and Resources
    • Transportation
  • For Providers
    • Public Notice & Request for Proposal
    • Vendor Service Tools
    • Grantee Service Tools
  • News & Events
    • VCAAA Videos
    • Press Releases
    • Publications & Awards
    • COVID-19
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
      • Subscribe to E-Notify
    • Mission
    • Employment
    • Volunteers
    • Planning & Strategy
    • Advocacy
      • Dementia Friendly Ventura County
      • Legislative Issues
      • Ombudsman
      • LGBT+ Aging
    • Nondiscrimination
    • Resources

Health Insurance Counseling (HICAP)

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2023 MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT (October 15th through December 7th)
Enrollment Flyer: English | Español

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) will be hosting One-Stops to assist local residents with navigating 2023 Medicare Open Enrollment.

To schedule an appointment, you must complete the HICAP Comparison-Appointment Request Form. A VCAAA representative will contact you to schedule an appointment once the form is received. Appointment Options: One-Stops (in-person), Online, telephone, or Zoom.

An appointment is required to meet with a counselor. No walk-ins will be seen.

For additional information or to request a paper HICAP Comparison-Appointment Request Form, e-mail HICAP@Ventura.org or call VCAAA’s HICAP department at 805-477-7300 or 800-434-0222.

We are no longer accepting requests for 2023 Medicare Counseling appointments because we have reached capacity.
For assistance with Medicare plan selection or questions regarding your 2023 Medicare enrollment, please call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) before Wednesday, December 7, 2022 by 5 pm PST.

VCAAA HICAP Comparison-Appointment Request Form

All Things Medicare & Benefits Enrollment:

The VCAAA’s Health Insurance & Advocacy Program (HICAP) is proud to launch a series of seminars focused on all things Medicare and benefits enrollment. Click here to view the current flyer of seminars.

This series will be ongoing, and will be marketed on a quarterly basis.
Registration is required. Click here to register.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

The HICAP team will also be providing a variety of in-person community presentations. Click here for more information.

Click here to access the 2022 Medicare eHandbook


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.

Health Insurance Information and Assistance
Agencies offer assistance with filling out forms, submitting bills, and completing other paperwork necessary for reimbursement.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is HICAP-Medicare Program?
HICAP is short for Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program 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 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.

How does it work?
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.

Why would a Medicare beneficiary need to reevaluate his or her current 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.

How does someone enroll to receive help?
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 was supported, in part, by grant number 90SAPG0052-03-00, 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.

State Health Insurance Assistance Program
California Department of Aging

Location Information

  • Ventura County Area Agency on Aging
  • 646 County Square Drive, Suite 100, Ventura, CA 93003
  • 805-477-7300
  • LOIS.VCAAA@ventura.org
  • www.referweb.net/vcaaa

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Resources

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