Medicare Open Enrollment Ends Dec. 7: California's HICAP Offers Free One-on-One Counseling, Hotline 1-800-434-0222
Medicare's annual Open Enrollment began on October 15 and runs through December 7. The California Department of Aging reminds residents that its Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) provides free, confidential Medicare counseling throughout California, and residents can reach their local county office through the hotline at 1-800-434-0222.
According to the Department of Aging, HICAP counselors receive specialized training in Medicare and provide free, unbiased, one-on-one counseling, education and assistance, helping people make informed decisions about Medicare, long-term care insurance and other health coverage. The program does not sell or endorse any insurance product. Counseling is available to people age 65 and older who are eligible for Medicare, their families, people under 65 who qualify because of a disability, and people who will soon be eligible. The counselor corps includes volunteers who speak languages other than English.
During Open Enrollment, Medicare beneficiaries can join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage plan, and join, switch or drop a Part D prescription drug plan; changes submitted by December 7 take effect on January 1, 2027. The Department of Aging notes that residents who feel overwhelmed by plan choices do not have to rely on sales calls: they can compare premiums, drug lists and provider networks through HICAP or the official Medicare website, Medicare.gov, before deciding.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 美国联邦医疗保险（Medicare）卡样张。Medicare.gov图，公共领域，经Wikimedia Commons。 / A sample U.S. Medicare card. Image from Medicare.gov, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
