Welcome to California Health Advocates
We are dedicated to Medicare advocacy and education for Californians. Our website provides accurate, unbiased, user-friendly information about Medicare benefits for people who live in California. We also offer resources for professionals working directly with California's Medicare beneficiaries.
Learn About...
- Options for obtaining prescription drug coverage.
- Programs for people with low income.
- How Medigap (a private insurance policy) can supplement your Medicare coverage to pay for health care costs Medicare doesn't cover.
- How Medicare Advantage plans offer another way to receive your Medicare benefits.
- Basic Medicare topics such as:
Eligibility | Coverage | Billing & Claims | Appeals | People with Disabilities
HICAP : Get Help with Medicare Questions
Call 1-800-434-0222 for free local help with Medicare and other health care issues.
Contributing to Our Work: Donate Now!
We welcome tax-deductible contributions and sponsors to support our educational events and publications.
8 most popular pages
- HICAP Medicare Counseling
- Fact Sheets
- Extra Help with Part D Costs for People with Low Income
- Medi-Cal (for People with Medicare)
- Medicare Basics
- Medicare Advantage – Medicare Part C
- Prescription Drugs – Medicare Part D
- Medicare & Other Health Insurance
For Professionals
Advocacy & Policy | EducationTechnical information and specialized resources for people working directly with Medicare beneficiaries:
California Medicare Coalition
The CMC is a meeting place for individuals and agencies serving and advocating on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries. Our next meeting date will be posted soon. Read more about the CMC.
CHA Testifies on Consumer Protections for Long-Term Care Insurance Before Senate Special Committee on Aging
June 3, 2009 Bonnie Burns, CHA Training and Policy Specialist, testifies on the need for greater consumer protections, standardization of policies and regulation of LTC insurance products.
CMS' 2010 Call Letter to Medicare Advantage & Part D Plans
March 6, 2009 Comments submitted by CHA, drafted jointly with various advocacy organizations. Includes recommendations on CMS' guidelines for plan marketing materials, plan benefit requirements, and beneficiary protections.
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Medicare Podcasts
NEW! Available in English
and Spanish, our most
recent
podcasts include:
- Low-Income Programs that help cover Medicare costs
- Your Medicare Appeal Rights
Medicare News
CHA’s Senior Medicare Patrol Project Awarded 3-Year Grant
June 8, 2009 Our SMP project recently received its 5th SMP grant from the Administration on Aging. Read more
CHA Testifies on Long-Term Care Insurance Consumer Protections at Senate Hearing
June 5, 2009 Bonnie Burns testified on the need for greater consumer protections, standardization of policies and regulation of long-term care insurance products and marketing practices at the Senate Special Committee on Aging Hearing, June 3rd.
Governor Proposes $9 Billion in New Massive Cuts; Entire Programs Targeted for Elimination
June 2, 2009 California’s budget deficit is projected to be over $24 billion by June 2010; the Governor proposes additional permanent spending cuts and program eliminations to key Medi-Cal and other health and human services programs.
Are You Eligible for a 65% Reduction on Your COBRA or CalCOBRA Premiums?
May 12, 2009 Review frequently asked questions on the Recovery Act’s COBRA Subsidy.
Continued Health Disparities: Higher End-of-Life Medicare Costs for Minority Patients
May 5, 2009 Disease death rates for elderly African Americans and Latinos are similar to those for whites, yet why are their end-of-life Medicare costs significantly higher?
Press Releases
Spanish & English Podcasts Available on Medicare Low-Income Programs and Medicare Appeals
March 3, 2009 — Beneficiaries, their families and caregivers can listen in English and/or Spanish to learn about Medicare appeal rights and programs to help pay for Medicare costs. Transcripts are available in both languages.
