Program Description
Approximately 500 trained HIICAP counselors located in local offices for the aging across the state are available to answer New Yorkers’ questions about Medicare, Medicare Advantage programs (managed care), Medicare prescription drug coverage, Medigap, and other health and long term care insurance.
Counseling is also available through a toll-free HIICAP helpline at 1-800-701-0501. Callers will be prompted to state the county in which they need help, and will then be routed to their local HIICAP program to speak with a trained counselor. In most cases, this local program will be the area agency on aging (AAA). There are some AAAs that subcontract the HIICAP program to community agencies so the calls will be sent directly to them.
Goals and Objectives
HIICAP works directly with Medicare beneficiaries to educate them about the Medicare Program, Medigap policies, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage Plans, Long-term Care Insurance, Low-Income Subsidy Programs, employer-sponsored insurance, and other health insurance programs that are available in New York State.
Our statewide toll-free hotline (1-800-701-0501) records over 30,000 calls per year now that the number appears on the back cover of the Medicare & You Handbook which is distributed to the almost 3.5 million Medicare beneficiaries in our state.
HIICAP Counselors are trained each year via a 2-day annual conference and regional training sessions.
These resources, in addition to the HIICAP Notebook, Technical Manual and other sources, provide the aging services network with the information and support that they need to work with complex medical insurance issues. NYSOFA's HIICAP Staff are available to provide complaint resolutions, access to CMS, information on plan selections and training materials that serve to enhance the program and ensure its effectiveness to clients.
HIICAP Counselor's Corner
Access tools, resources and training materials that are specifically designed to help HIICAP Counselors assist Medicare beneficiaries.