Benefits Navigation & Support · Surprise rank #429
Choosing Medicare in New York? Use a Free HIICAP Counselor Who Sells Nothing
HIICAP gives New Yorkers free, objective counseling on Medicare, Medigap, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and programs that lower Medicare costs.
Who
New Yorkers with Medicare, people approaching Medicare eligibility and their caregivers or representatives.
What to do
Start here: Call the statewide HIICAP helpline or use the Office for the Aging page to reach a local counseling program.
Eligibility: HIICAP counseling itself is broadly available to New Yorkers seeking Medicare-related help; specific Medicare plans and savings programs have separate eligibility rules.
What you get
Trained HIICAP counselors explain coverage choices, compare options, help with Medicare-related problems and screen for programs that can reduce health and prescription costs.
Benefit: Free, unbiased one-on-one Medicare counseling instead of relying only on a salesperson or plan representative.
Possible value: No direct cash award; good plan and subsidy decisions can save hundreds or thousands of dollars a year depending on premiums, drugs and medical use.
Good to know
Important: HIICAP helps you evaluate choices but does not make a private plan automatically right for you or guarantee eligibility for a subsidy.
Availability: Active
Why people miss it: Medicare marketing is dominated by insurers and brokers, so many people never hear that a free non-sales counseling program exists.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026