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Community Resource Specialists are available between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F at (408) 350-3200, option 1.
Santa Clara Medicare: HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program)
Sourcewise provides residents of Santa Clara County access to one-on-one counseling to assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers understand their Medicare benefits and healthcare options.
If you reside outside of Santa Clara County, please visit California Health Advocates (CHA) for your local HICAP office.
If you reside outside of California, please visit State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for your local SHIP office.
Who We Serve
We know that understanding Medicare can be challenging.
HICAP services are available to current Medicare beneficiaries living in Santa Clara County; those about to become eligible for benefits; and anyone who wants to learn more about buying health insurance while planning for retirement.
HICAP also serves as advocates for families of seniors or service providers.
HICAP is part of the national network of State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and is the Santa Clara County source for unbiased and objective Medicare-related counseling and information.
We are here to help if you or someone you know is a Medicare beneficiary or about to become one. Some Medicare basics include:
- Generally, individuals age 65 and over can have Medicare Part A benefits
- Persons with disabilities under age 65 can have Medicare Part A benefits after the 24th month of receiving Social Security disability benefits or Railroad Retirement disability benefits. A person with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Lou Gehrig’s disease) would get Medicare A the month disability benefits start
- Individuals with permanent kidney failure at any age can have Medicare Part A
Any person who is eligible for Medicare Part A is also eligible for Medicare Part B.
To have Medicare, individuals described above must also be U.S. citizens or be lawfully admitted and then continuously live in the U.S. for five years. Such noncitizens should contact HICAP before their fifth year of permanent residency status.
Let’s Get Started
Find out what your options are and what will work best for you. The Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program will help you fully understand your Medicare options so that you can make the right choices and navigate the Medicare maze better informed.
HICAP answers questions about:
- Original Medicare, Part A & Part B
- Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap)
- Medicare Advantage Plans
- Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
- Limited income programs that help with Medicare costs
- Choices for dually eligible Medicare and Medi-Cal beneficiaries
- Medicare coordination with other insurance, (e.g. employer and retiree plans)
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Medicare Fraud and Abuse
Contact HICAP if you are interested in:
- A one-on-one Medicare or long-term care insurance counseling session
- Hosting or attending a Medicare or long-term care insurance presentation or seminar
- Inviting Sourcewise HICAP to participate in an outreach event
Not sure where to begin?
To schedule an appointment, contact our Community Resource Specialists at (408) 350-3200, option 1.
For Medicare-related questions, complete the HICAP Interest Form.
Presentations & Outreach Events
Medicare and long-term care insurance presentations are available to various groups and organizations upon request. If you and your group would like to host a presentation on a Medicare topic or have HICAP attend your outreach event, contact HICAP Community Outreach & Education Specialist, Steven Rubalcaba. HICAP does not sell, recommend, or endorse any insurance product.
Volunteer Opportunities with HICAP
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) is seeking retirees and empty nesters in Santa Clara County.
If you are passionate about technology and enjoy researching solutions to various challenges, always striving to expand your knowledge, and if you have a strong commitment to supporting the elderly and individuals with disabilities, we would love to connect with you.
Please sign up to become a Volunteer Health Insurance Counselor. You will be assisting Medicare beneficiaries in finding the right Medicare health insurance option to meet their individual needs. HICAP provides free, unbiased counseling to Medicare beneficiaries. Counselors also help identify and/or enroll individuals into Medicare prescription drug and health care plans. Counselors can also assist with Medicare-related insurance claims. Seasoned HICAP Counselors could register with the State as Community Educators and get involved in HICAP outreach events to provide presentations at local community/senior centers, places of worship, or libraries. No-cost training will be provided.
- Time commitment: Required to complete 30-plus hours of self-paced Medicare training online, followed by 9 days of virtual training, and 10-plus hours of internship to become a CA Registered Health Insurance Counselor. A minimum of 40 hours of HICAP services annually is required to maintain State Registration. Volunteering 6-12 hours a month is a typical schedule.
- Length: 1 year at a minimum
- Personality Traits: Individuals who are helpful, patient, reliable, computer savvy, able to assure confidentiality, have a caring attitude, and a desire to make a difference in the community
RESTRICTIONS: HICAP Volunteers cannot be licensed insurance agents, insurance brokers, or financial planners.
If you’re interested in becoming a registered Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program Counselor, please complete the HICAP Screening Questions. Alternatively, you can contact the HICAP Volunteer Coordinator by calling (408) 350-3245 or emailing hicapinterest@mysourcewise.com.
Medicare Consumer Guide
Sourcewise offers a Medicare Consumer Guide. It is used in conjunction with one-on-one telephone or in-person counseling sessions with our counselors to assist you in making informed health care decisions.
Medicare Resources:
- Social Security Administration: ssa.gov
- Medicare: medicare.gov
- Medi-Cal: dhcs.ca.gov
- Medi-Cal for providers: medi-cal.ca.gov
- Social Services Agency website: sccgov.org
- Coordinated Care Initiative and the Cal MediConnect duals demonstration project: calduals.org
- Benefits Coordination and Recovery Center phone number: 1 (855) 798-2627
- Department of Veterans Affairs phone number: 1 (844) 698-2311
- Federal Employee Health Benefits Program website: opm.gov
- Livanta, Quality Improvement Organization website: livantaqio.com
- Introduction to Medicare presentation recording
- 2025 – MedicareConsumerGuide
This project was supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $432,451.00 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
Support provided by the California Department of Aging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Public Authority for IHSS in Santa Clara County?
The Public Authority supports the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program by managing a registry of care providers, helping with enrollment, and offering training and benefits for IHSS caregivers. It acts as a bridge between care recipients and providers, ensuring quality support for independent living.
How do I become an IHSS provider in Santa Clara County?
To become a provider, you’ll need to complete an enrollment process that includes orientation, a background check, and paperwork. You can begin by visiting the Public Authority Services website or calling a Community Resource Specialist at (408) 350-3200, option 1.
Can I provide IHSS care for a family member?
Yes. Many IHSS caregivers are family members. As long as the care recipient qualifies for IHSS services and you complete the provider enrollment steps, you can be approved to provide care.
What kind of training is available for IHSS caregivers?
Optional training classes and materials are available through the Public Authority. These cover topics like safety, proper care techniques, and communication skills. Training helps caregivers feel more confident and better equipped to support their clients.
What benefits do IHSS providers receive?
IHSS providers may be eligible for benefits like health insurance, dental coverage, vision, and paid sick leave. Eligibility depends on your work hours and participation in the Public Authority registry. For details, check the Provider Benefits section on PASCC.org.
How do I find an IHSS provider or join the registry?
If you need a caregiver, you can request help from the Public Authority’s registry of pre-screened providers. If you’re a caregiver, joining the registry helps connect you with clients in need of support. Visit PASCC.org or call for help joining or using the registry.