HIICAP New York: Free Medicare Counseling for Seniors
What HIICAP Is
HIICAP — the Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program — is New York's version of the national SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program). It puts trained, unbiased counselors in every county to help seniors and their families understand Medicare, compare plans, and navigate state programs like QMB and EPIC.
HIICAP counselors work through local Area Agencies on Aging and the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA). They are not insurance agents, they earn no commissions, and they do not sell anything. The service is free.
What HIICAP Counselors Help With
A HIICAP appointment can cover any of these:
- Medicare Savings Programs — screening for QMB and QI eligibility, help filling out the DOH-4328 application
- Part D plan comparisons — reviewing which drug plan covers a senior's specific medications at the lowest cost
- Medigap vs Medicare Advantage — explaining the trade-offs for someone turning 65 or losing employer coverage
- EPIC enrollment — determining whether New York's state pharmacy assistance program applies
- Extra Help (LIS) applications — filing with Social Security for Part D cost reduction
- Billing disputes — understanding Medicare Summary Notices and identifying billing errors
During the Annual Election Period (October 15–December 7), counselors are in high demand. Wait times for appointments can stretch to several weeks. Calling early or scheduling outside of peak season gets faster access.
How to Find a HIICAP Counselor
Contact the local Area Agency on Aging for the county where the senior lives. In New York City, the Department for the Aging runs the program across all five boroughs.
The national SHIP locator at shiphelp.org also finds HIICAP sites by ZIP code. Appointments are available in person, by phone, and in some counties by video call.
The Medicare Rights Center — headquartered in NYC — operates a separate national helpline at 1-800-333-4114. It handles Medicare questions from anywhere in the country but has particular depth on New York issues.
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Getting the Most Out of a HIICAP Visit
Come prepared with:
- The Medicare card (front and back)
- The most recent Social Security benefit letter showing the gross monthly amount
- A list of current prescription medications with dosages
- Any notices from the state Medicaid office, EPIC, or Social Security
Having income documentation ready allows the counselor to screen for MSP eligibility on the spot, rather than scheduling a follow-up.
For families who want to organize everything before the appointment — or who cannot wait for a HIICAP opening — the New York Medicare Savings Programs Guide provides the same eligibility worksheets and application checklists a counselor would walk through.
Get Your Free New York — Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Checklist
Download the New York — Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.