Benefits Counseling
Benefits Counseling
The Benefits Counseling Program maintains a comprehensive, coordinated, and statewide system of health insurance counseling for older adults and persons with disabilities in Texas.
The Area Agency on Aging of East Texas partners with the Texas Legal Services Center and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to provide information about both public benefits and private health insurance.
Trained and certified counselors work with seniors and persons with a disability, particularly in the area of benefits counseling. The program is known as the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) in Texas has staff and volunteers located in 28 Area Agency on Aging offices. Benefits counselors provide one-to-one assistance by:
- Providing information about Medicare and Medicaid eligibility, program benefits, and appeal rights.
- Providing assistance with completing Medicare and supplementary claim forms.
- Explaining Medicare supplement insurance policy benefits, exclusions, and coverage language.
- Explaining the pros and cons of benefit choices, including traditional Medicare, Prescription Drug coverage, Medicare Advantage plans, and Medigap.
- Providing information about long-term care options.
- Providing group awareness for all ages through community presentations and special events to promote health, wellness, and benefits education.
- Making referrals to the Texas Legal Services Center or other appropriate community agencies.
Benefits counselors are not allowed to recommend any policy or plan but provide factual, unbiased information and assistance and to act as advocates when needed.
HICAP is partially funded by the Administration on Community Living (ACL) through grants provided by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. Benefits Counselors are not affiliated with any insurance company.
Medicare Open Enrollment takes place from October 15 to December 7 and is the time of year when people with Medicare can make unrestricted changes to their coverage options. Our Area Agency on Aging staff are here to help! Our Certified Benefits Counselors may not recommend a specific policy or plan, but can provide factual, unbiased information and assistance to help seniors make their choice of coverage.
Are you looking for:
► Extra Help on prescriptions
► Help identifying which plan offers lower copays
► A new plan with the same doctor
For in-depth or one-on-one counseling, individuals may call to make an appointment
1-800-442-8845
Request an Open Enrollment Appointment!
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About Us
The Area Agency on Aging of East Texas
is designated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to coordinate services for persons in East Texas who are 60 or older, with particular attention to low-income minority older individuals, older individuals with limited-English proficiency, and older individuals residing in rural areas.
1501 Pentecost Road
Kilgore, Texas 75662
1-800-442-8845
Deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech-impaired customers may contact
Relay Texas: 800-735-2989 (TTY) and 711 (Voice).
Equal opportunity is the law.
Equal opportunity notice in English and Spanish
Administered by ETCOG