Navigating Medicare: Understanding HICAP & the FREE and UNBIASED support it provides

Join us for an informative presentation introducing the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)—California’s official source for free, unbiased Medicare counseling and advocacy.

This session provides a clear overview of how HICAP helps Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers make informed decisions about their healthcare options.

Michael Thompson is the Outreach Medicare Educator for HICAP North Bay, serving as the agency’s primary public presenter and community educator across six Northern California counties: Napa, Marin, Solano, Sonoma, Mendocino, and Lake.

With a direct, community-first approach, Michael has presented hundreds of Medicare classes tailored to help beneficiaries navigate the complexities of Medicare. He routinely conducts educational sessions at local community centers, public libraries, senior centers, and regional Medicare conventions.

Beyond public education, Michael serves as HICAP North Bay’s media liaison and expert advisor to local politicians seeking authoritative guidance on Medicare policy and beneficiary issues. A recognized voice in the field, he has been featured as a keynote speaker at numerous regional conferences dedicated to empowering the public through accessible, unbiased Medicare education.

This material was developed through a project funded by a contract with the California Department of Aging. FCA services are funded by Alameda County Department of Adult and Aging Services, Contra Costa County Area Agency on Aging, the City and County of San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services, San Mateo County Aging and Disability Services, and the California Department of Aging.