The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, part of a national network of state health insurance and assistance programs, is recruiting northstate volunteers interested in working within their community as state registered HICAP counselors.
“We are a state and federally funded program to help people with Medicare, resolve problems dealing with health insurance; find prescription drug resources and informing of their rights and protections,” said HICAP Program Manager Debbie Weiland. “There is never a fee for our services.”
According to Weiland the agency is currently looking for volunteer counselors to help seniors, caregivers and adults with disabilities in the five counties they serve – Shasta, Lassen, Modoc, Trinity and Siskiyou counties. Candidates must be computer and internet competent.
Local programs are charged with directly helping beneficiaries to understand how to use their Medicare benefits including Prescription Drug Plan coverage, Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare supplemental policies, Medicare Savings Programs and long term care insurance. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid administers the grant programs nationally.
HICAP provides free community education and unbiased confidential individual counseling statewide. HICAP Counselors are trained to assist Californians with choosing and/or enrolling in Prescription Drug Plans and Medicare Health Plans, filing original Medicare and private insurance claims and/or preparing Medicare appeals.
For an application, or more information, please call Debbie Weiland at 223-0999, or email [email protected]
