Medicare开放注册12月7日截止：加州HICAP免费一对一咨询，热线1-800-434-0222
联邦医疗保险（Medicare）年度开放注册已于10月15日开始，将于12月7日截止。位于美国加利福尼亚州的州老龄厅（California Department of Aging）提醒，该厅下设的健康保险咨询与倡导计划（HICAP）为全州居民提供免费、保密的 Medicare 咨询服务，居民可通过热线 1-800-434-0222 找到所在县的地方办公室。
据州老龄厅，HICAP 的咨询员都受过 Medicare 专门培训，提供免费、无偏向的一对一咨询、教育和协助，帮助居民在 Medicare、长期护理保险和其他健康保险之间理清选项、做出知情决定；该计划不销售、不代言任何保险产品。咨询对象包括65岁及以上符合 Medicare 资格的人及其家人、65岁以下因残障符合资格的人，以及即将取得资格的人。咨询员队伍中还包括会其他语言的志愿者。
开放注册期间，Medicare 参保人可以加入、更换或退出 Medicare Advantage 计划，也可以加入、更换或退出 Part D 处方药计划，在12月7日前提交的更改将于2027年1月1日生效。州老龄厅表示，对计划选项感到无从下手的居民，不必只听推销电话，可以先通过 HICAP 或 Medicare 官方网站 Medicare.gov 比较各计划的保费、药单和医生网络，再做决定。
Medicare Open Enrollment Ends Dec. 7: California's HICAP Offers Free One-on-One Counseling, Hotline 1-800-434-0222
Medicare's annual Open Enrollment began on October 15 and runs through December 7. The California Department of Aging reminds residents that its Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) provides free, confidential Medicare counseling throughout California, and residents can reach their local county office through the hotline at 1-800-434-0222.
According to the Department of Aging, HICAP counselors receive specialized training in Medicare and provide free, unbiased, one-on-one counseling, education and assistance, helping people make informed decisions about Medicare, long-term care insurance and other health coverage. The program does not sell or endorse any insurance product. Counseling is available to people age 65 and older who are eligible for Medicare, their families, people under 65 who qualify because of a disability, and people who will soon be eligible. The counselor corps includes volunteers who speak languages other than English.
During Open Enrollment, Medicare beneficiaries can join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage plan, and join, switch or drop a Part D prescription drug plan; changes submitted by December 7 take effect on January 1, 2027. The Department of Aging notes that residents who feel overwhelmed by plan choices do not have to rely on sales calls: they can compare premiums, drug lists and provider networks through HICAP or the official Medicare website, Medicare.gov, before deciding.
来源：GSM·美国（原文链接）
图片来源：美国联邦医疗保险（Medicare）卡样张。Medicare.gov图，公共领域，经Wikimedia Commons。 / A sample U.S. Medicare card. Image from Medicare.gov, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
GSM Global · 本篇英文版 English edition of this story
