About Us
The Center for Health Care Rights helps older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers in Los Angeles County navigate Medicare and get the health care they need.
We are the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) for Los Angeles County and Los Angeles City and a free public service. Our local employees and volunteers are trained advocates. They can provide easy-to-understand information about your Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits.
“When you get your Medicare card, or have a change, your first call should be to the Center for Health Care Rights.”
– Jean E., Inglewood
You may have seen our number on the back of the Medicare book. This is because we are a nonprofit funded by the State of California and the City and County of Los Angeles.
“I came away from my counseling session informed and confident that I can make the right choices.”
- Clifford K., Pomona
Meet our local Los Angeles County-based team of Medicare experts, support staff, and board members.
The California Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
The California Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) is a statewide program that provides free Medicare information, education, and counseling to people with Medicare and their families.
Administered by the California Department of Aging, HICAP is supported by state and federal funding. HICAP is part of the national Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), a network of Medicare assistance programs in all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and Guam.
The SHIP Program is administered by the federal Administration for Community Living (ACL). The Center for Health Care Rights contracts with the City and County of Los Angeles Area Agencies on Aging to deliver free HICAP/SHIP services throughout Los Angeles County.
“My counselor did an in-depth study of my needs and gave me the necessary information to find solutions.”
- Norma B., Pacoima
This project was supported, in part by grant number 90SAPG0094-04-00, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.