HIICAP is a federally funded program from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). HIICAP is administered by the New York State Office for the Aging.
 HIICAP provides you and your loved ones with information, education and counseling about Medicare and other health insurances. Trained staff and volunteers will answer your questions.
The services provided by HIICAP are both free and unbiased.
HIICAP can help you:
- understand the Medicare prescription drug benefit (Medicare Part D) and how to select the best plan
- understand "Extra Help", a low income subsidy offered by the Social Security Administration
- find ways to pay for your prescription drugs or medical equipment
- understand and apply for EPIC (Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage)
- choose between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans, including Medicare HMOs, Medicare PPOs, Medicare Special Needs Plans and Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans
- understand Medicare rules and your medical bills
- report possible Medicare fraud or abuse
- appeal a decision by Medicare, your managed care provider or other health insurance company
- discover ways to fill in Medicare's gaps
- file and insurance claim and deal with paperwork
- learn about prevention and screening coverage that keeps you healthy or helps detect issues early
- pick the right Long Term Care Insurance policy
- explore New York State Partnership for Long term Care options
What is HIICAP?
New York's HIICAP is a statewide network of Health Insurance Information, Counseling, and Assistance Programs, headquartered at Area Agencies on Aging of their subcontractor non-profit agencies. In Herkimer County, the HIICAP and LTCIEOP programs are sponsored by Catholic Charities. HIICAP's mission is to educate the public about Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans and other health issues. HIICAP provides free, accurate and objective information, counseling, assistance and advocacy on Medicare, private health insurance and related health coverage plans. HIICAP helps Medicare beneficiaries, their representatives, or persons soon to eligible for Medicare. Herkimer County residents can schedule free and confidential appointments with highly trained volunteer counselors to discuss any of the following:
Heath insurance questions about benefits, options, paperwork, and resources
- What costs does Medicare cover?
- What health care costs will I be responsible?
- Which policies will cover costs that Medicare does not?
- How can I make this paperwork manageable?
- Who can I turn to for help in resolving specific health insurance problems?
- How do I choose a Prescription Drug Plan that will work for me?
- What is Long Term Care and how can I apply?
- Can I get help paying for my prescription drugs
Counselors will also provide the latest information on emerging problems, new laws, changing state and federal regulations, and new developments in the health insurance industry.
If you are a Herkimer County resident and would like to schedule as appointment, call the local HIICAP office at 894-9917 ext 236, or visit our office at Catholic Charities, 61 West Street, Ilion, New York. e-mail us
HIICAP Local Number: 315-894-9917 ext 236
HIICAP Hotline Number: 1-800-701-0501
www.hiicap.state.ny.us
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