Assistance with Medicare
Medicare coverage can be a complicated web of enrollment periods, prescription drug coverage, penalties, billing and ambulance appeals, and more! Medicare beneficiaries have rights and the Fresno-Madera Area Agency on Aging is happy to support the Fresno- Madera Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) at Valley Caregiver Resource Center through a grant funded by the California Department of Aging.
All HICAP services are free, confidential, and unbiased. HICAP counselors are registered with the California Department of Aging and complete continued education to stay well informed of Medicare updates. HICAP does not sell anything!
HICAP counselors are also trained Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) liaisons and help to prevent, detect, and report Medicare fraud. SMP liaisons are able to provide educational presentations to help inform the community about Medicare fraud. SMP liaisons provide an annual shredding event to assist Medicare beneficiaries with properly destroying their personal documents to avoid becoming a victim of fraud. For the most up to date fraud trends and news visit the SMP website or contact your local SMP liaison at HICAP.
HICAP facilitates a Medi-Cal Application Assistance Day (MAAD) monthly for Fresno County beneficiaries. This event is a partnership with Fresno County Department of Social Services and provides multiple eligibility workers on-site to assist with Medi-Cal applications for Medicare beneficiaries that desire to become Medi-Medi (Medi-Cal/Medicare) beneficiaries.
For more information or to schedule your individual HICAP counseling appointment, contact HICAP at 559-224-9117, Monday- Friday from 8am to 5pm, or visit www.valleycrc.org