The History of HICAP and its Mission

According to California Department of Aging, the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) came into existence because of inappropriate sales practices by insurance companies and agents that were taking advantage of Medicare beneficiaries because of their lack of knowledge about Medicare, selling them excess insurance plans, and using aggressive marketing tactics.

The premise of the HICAP program is to provide unbiased information to Medicare beneficiaries without selling or recommending insurance plans or companies. The safe place to learn about Medicare and its supplemental options.

It is the mission of HICAP to provide accurate and objective counseling, advocacy, and assistance with Medicare, health insurance, managed care, long-term care, and related health coverage plans for Medicare beneficiaries, their representatives, or persons imminent of Medicare eligibility, and to educate the public on Medicare and health coverage issues.