Changing Medicare Plans? Orange County HICAP Offers Free, Unbiased Help

What does HICAP do?

Medicare plans can differ in their doctor networks, covered drugs, out-of-pocket costs, and pharmacies. Someone reviewing next year’s coverage may want help understanding those differences before enrollment closes.

HICAP stands for Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program. In Orange County, Council on Aging Southern California operates the program. Its website describes the Medicare counseling as free and unbiased.

HICAP can explain Medicare benefits and plan options, discuss ways to lower costs, and help when coverage or a provider payment is denied. The program also accepts reports of Medicare fraud. It says it does not sell, promote, or recommend commercial insurance products.

When can you change a plan?

Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. People with Medicare can change Medicare Advantage coverage, change a Part D drug plan, or switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

Medicare.gov says the plan must receive an enrollment request by December 7. The new coverage takes effect January 1, 2027. This is not a deadline for every Medicare issue; people with special circumstances should ask Medicare or a HICAP counselor before relying on it.

Medicare.gov’s Plan Finder lets users search by ZIP code and compare local options. People can include prescriptions and pharmacies to estimate costs. The tool is for self-service research; HICAP is an option for people who want someone to explain the results.

Prepare for an appointment

A counseling appointment can be more useful when the beneficiary has key information ready. Before calling, gather:

• The current plan’s Annual Notice of Change, if it has arrived.
• A medication list, including doses and pharmacy.
• The doctors, clinics, and hospitals the person wants to keep.
• The Medicare card and plan letters about coverage changes.
• Questions about premiums, out-of-pocket costs, and needed services.

This is a preparation checklist, not a recommendation about which plan to choose. A counselor needs to understand the person’s situation to explain available options.

Contact Orange County HICAP

Orange County HICAP: (714) 560-⁠0424
Statewide HICAP line: 1-800-434-⁠0222
Appointments: coasc.org/hicap
Vietnamese-language page: COASC HICAP in Vietnamese
Medicare: 1-800-633-⁠4227

Before scheduling, ask whether Vietnamese-language counseling is available on the appointment date, whether documents should be sent in advance, and whether the meeting can be in person or by phone. Do not send a Medicare number or account details through an unsolicited email or link.

HICAP can explain the options; the person with Medicare makes the decision. If possible, an adult child can sit with a parent, take notes, and help ask questions. Do not change a parent’s coverage before understanding that person’s needs.