Services : The Healthcare Bureau protects and advocates for the rights of all Healthcare consumers statewide. It helps New Yorkers with individual Healthcare and insurance problems; investigate deceptive business practices; take law enforcement actions to address; and where appropriate, propose legislation to enhance Healthcare quality and availability in New York State.
Geographic Area Served : NYS

Health Insurance Information, Counseling & Assistance Program (HIICAP)

The Health Insurance Information, Counseling & Assistance Program (HIICAP) is a federally-funded program from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and is administered by the New York State Office for the Aging through the Schenectady County Department of Long Term Care and Catholic Charities Senior & Caregiver Support Services.

HIICAP provides Medicare beneficiaries with information, education, and counseling about Medicare and other health insurances. The HIICAP counseling process includes a complete review of an individual’s current and anticipated medical and prescription drug coverage needs. HIICAP staff and volunteers serve over 2000 seniors throughout Schenectady County, are not associated with any insurance company, and do not sell insurance products. Counseling is non-biased, confidential, and free.

This program is funded by Schenectady County Senior & Long Term Care Services and has been a operated by Catholic Charities for over 20 years.

How Can HIICAP Help Me?

HIICAP helps you:

•Choose between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans including HMOs, PPOs, Private Fee for Service (PFFS), Special Needs Plans, and Medical Savings Accounts

•Understand Medicare rules and your medical bills

•Understand the Medicare prescription drug benefit (Medicare Part D) and how to select the best plan

•Understand low-income subsidy programs, including “Extra Help” and Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs)

•Find available options that may help pay for your prescription drugs or medical equipment

•Understand and apply for Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC)

•Report possible Medicare fraud or abuse

•Appeal a decision by Medicare, your managed care provider, or other health insurance company

•Explore ways to fill in Medicare’s gaps

•Learn about prevention and screening coverage that keeps you healthy or helps detect issues early

I Have More Medicare Questions, Who Do I Call?

For current information on Medicare, Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, managed care, or Medicare Advantage, log on to www.medicare.gov.

Volunteer Opportunities

Opportunities are available for volunteers with an understanding of or interest in learning Medicare guidelines to assist the senior community with education, assessment, and enrollment. Comprehensive training and commitment to a regular schedule are required. For additional information on volunteering, call (518) 372-5667.

Contact Us...

Schenectady County residents can contact the local HIICAP office at (518) 372-5667 or call the local HIICAP Hotline at 800-701-0501 for issues that are specific to New York State residents (or visit the HIICAP website at www.aging.ny.gov/HealthBenefits).

The National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information is primarily intended as an information and planning resource for individuals who don't yet require long-term care, but it includes information on services and financing options that can be helpful to all individuals.
Use the PathFinder on the web site to get to the information most relevant and useful to you now.

The Mothers and Babies Perinatal Network offers assistance and eligibility screenings with health coverage enrollment. Community Health Advocates (CHA), can help guide individuals, families and small businesses navigate through the health care system. Offers applications and assistance in navigating the NYS Health Benefit Marketplace (Affordable Care Act).

The Healthy Capital District Initiative has Navigators certified by the New York State of Health who can help you apply for health insurance including Child Health Plus

Medicaid pays for medical care and services for individuals and families with very limited assets and
income who cannot afford to pay all of their medical bills. It is especially valuable to older people
with serious, recurring health problems because they usually cannot meet all of their medical
expenses from Medicare alone. A person may be eligible for partial assistance or for complete
medical coverage depending upon his/her monthly income and assets. Some Medicaid recipients pay
a co-payment for some services. When seeking services, it is important to find out if the provider
accepts Medicaid payments. If not, you will be responsible for the bill. Medicaid payment is made
directly to the doctor or other health care provider. No money is paid to the client.

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. The answers to your questions are just a free phone call, or a mouse click, away!!!

Senior Centers provide nutrition and transportation services, as well as a place for socialization, recreation, education and heath-related activities. The Center Directors and Case Managers are available to provide information and assistance on various issues that affect the elderly. They can help with forms or applications for benefit programs, help arrange services and make referrals to other agencies who offer programs for the elderly. The Case Managers assigned to each center are available to assist the frail, homebound elderly to get needed services.
Serves: Town & Village of Malone, also Owls Head, Mountain View, Duane