Medicare 2026

HICAP and licensed agents for Medicare in Fullerton

FULLERTON, Calif. — If you live in Fullerton and feel buried under Medicare mailers, robocalls, and TV ads, you are not alone. The good news: you can get straight answers from people who are not trying to sell you anything. California's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — known here as HICAP, the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program — offers free, one-on-one Medicare counseling to anyone with Medicare or approaching eligibility.

Free, unbiased Medicare help is closer than you think

That matters in a busy market. Fullerton sits in Orange County, where 92 Medicare Advantage plans and 16 MA-PD carriers are available for 2027, according to CMS plan data. With that many choices, an unbiased conversation can make a real difference.

What HICAP does (and does not) do

HICAP is California's federally funded SHIP program. Its counselors are trained and certified volunteers and staff who do not sell insurance and are not paid on commission. They can help you:

• Understand Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap.
• Compare plans side-by-side on Medicare.gov using your own drug list and doctors.
• Sort out enrollment periods, late-enrollment penalties, and IRMAA questions.
• Review a denial, appeal, or billing problem.
• Screen you for programs like Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Programs.

They will not tell you which plan to pick — but they will make sure you understand what you are choosing and why.

How to reach HICAP from Fullerton

Orange County residents can contact the Council on Aging – Southern California HICAP program, the SHIP provider for this area.

• HICAP (Orange County): 1-714-560-0424
• California HICAP statewide: 1-800-434-0222
• Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), available 24/7
• Online plan comparisons: Medicare.gov/plan-compare

Appointments are typically free and can be done by phone, video, or in person. Ask about counseling sites in north Orange County — Fullerton-area senior centers and libraries sometimes host events during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7).

When a licensed agent or broker makes sense

HICAP is the right first stop for unbiased education. But if you want someone to actually enroll you in a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, that has to be done through Medicare directly or through a licensed agent or broker.

A few things to know before you sit down with one:

• Agents are paid commissions by insurance companies. That is legal and normal, but it means their plan menu is limited to carriers they are contracted with.
• Ask if they are independent (representing many carriers) or captive (one carrier only).
• Since 2024, CMS rules require agents to give you a Scope of Appointment form before discussing plans. Don't skip it — it protects you.
• You should never be pressured, and no one should show up at your door uninvited.

If something feels off, hang up or walk out. You can always call HICAP for a second opinion at no cost.

Watch out for Medicare scams

Fullerton seniors have been targeted by callers claiming to be from "Medicare" offering new cards, refunds, or free braces. Real Medicare will not call you out of the blue asking for your number. Report suspicious calls to the California Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-855-613-7080.

Key 2027 numbers worth knowing

Whether you talk to HICAP or an agent, these program-level facts apply to everyone:

• $2,400 — the Part D out-of-pocket cap for 2027, up from $2,100 in 2026.
• $700 — the maximum Part D deductible a plan can charge in 2027.
• The coverage gap ("donut hole") is gone as of 2025 — Part D now has three phases.
• The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread drug costs across the year.
• IRMAA income surcharges start above $109,000 for single filers in 2026.