HICAP COUNSELOR JOB DESCRIPTION
TITLE: Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) Counselor
ORGANIZATION: Area 1 Agency on Aging
To apply for this position, please visit our website https://a1aa.org/aboutus/jobs/
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The HICAP counselor, under the supervision of the Program Manager (or their designee), counsels Medicare beneficiaries and those individuals soon to be eligible for Medicare benefits, provides information, and advocates on behalf of seniors and people with disabilities. These activities are related to the following HICAP objectives:
Inform the public and interested parties about the challenges associated with Medicare and related health insurance plans and products.
Assist Medicare beneficiaries with questions about health benefits, health claims, and insurance problems through direct counseling and informal advocacy; and
Support the independence of people making choices that affect their health and financial well-being.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
1. Assist Medicare beneficiaries in person, through video platforms, and on the telephone with counseling and advocacy involving Medicare billing claims and problems, Medigap plans, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, Long-Term Care Insurance, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare enrollment. May counsel clients at remote locations, such as senior centers, or visit a homebound client.
2. Assist individuals to ensure rights and privileges under Medicare and other applicable federal and California law or regulations are upheld, make appropriate referrals to legal services and/or other agencies, and provide other interventions as needed and appropriate.
3. Complete California state training requirements to become a Registered HICAP Counselor. Additional training to become a Registered Community Educator and Registered Long-term Counselor to be considered after first year as a HICAP Counselor. Participate in continuous training to ensure current knowledge of applicable information, procedures, and regulations.
4. Using the program database, maintain accurate client information and case notes on client contacts and services provided and prepare reports and other data/information as requested. Submit monthly reports as requested regarding client contacts.
5. Perform research to prepare for client counseling and advocacy.
6. May be trained to provide public presentations about Medicare and other insurance coverage and programs for community groups and service providers (optional).
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Need to have the desire and capacity to learn Medicare and other insurance eligibility and requirements.
2. Passion for and experience with helping older adults and people with disabilities.
3. Professional and polite in interactions with co-workers, clients, and the public.
4. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in an objective and unbiased manner.
5. Ability to clearly document details and information on forms and to summarize case scenarios.
6. Ability and willingness to comply with all policies and procedures established by the local HICAP and the State HICAP Office.
7. Ability to provide counseling and information which will assist clients in making informed choices and to refrain from recommending health insurance plans to clients.
8. 18 years of age or older.
REQUIRED SKILLS:
1. Excellent written and oral communication skills, including ability to communicate with older adults and people with disabilities and their caregivers/families.
2. Demonstrated sensitivity and respect for the dignity and self-determination of clients. Must be able to relate to people with diverse backgrounds and lived experience.
3. Proficiency with computers, including using Microsoft Windows, research, and database entry. Must maintain accurate and complete client records and reports.
4. Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret complex information. Assist clients in understanding options, using tact and skill to advocate for clients, when necessary.
5. Excellent planning and organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to analyze and solve problems, and consistently exercise good judgment. Ability to function effectively during busy counseling periods.
6. Must be able to cooperate as a flexible team member and work independently with general direction. Must be able to interact with other Area 1 Agency on Aging program staff and community partners.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:
1. The HICAP counselor will provide HICAP services from the HICAP program designated service site, which may on rare occasions, include a client’s home when the client is homebound.
2. The protection of a client’s right to privacy is of paramount importance to HICAP. All counselors must abide by confidentiality and conflict-of-interest directives.
3. Counselors must provide a minimum of 40 hours of service in a 12-month calendar year period and participate in a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education on an annual calendar year to maintain registered status.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Essential Physical Requirements:
Ability to work on multiple tasks.
Pleasant and clearly understandable phone voice.
Ability to sit at a desk for up to one hour at a time.
Ability to lift and/or move up to 20 lbs.
Ability to operate computers and other equipment in the office necessary to the position.
Must have sufficient mobility to move around to community sites and to interact with the community freely.
Ability to file and shelve resource materials, supplies, and other needed items. In the event of a community or agency disaster, job duties and responsibilities may change as directed by the Executive Director or other authorized agency representative. These duties would be related to assisting our client population, senior service providers, the agency, or other community organizations in disaster and recovery operations, following the agency disaster plan.
Pay: From $23.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
