Who this helps: Older New Yorkers on Medicare, family members helping a parent navigate coverage, and seniors comparing Medicare Advantage, Part D drug plans, or supplemental coverage during the 2026 open enrollment period.
Medicare paperwork is intentionally hard to read, and most seniors learn that the hard way — usually around the time a prescription suddenly costs three times what it did last month, or a doctor sends a bill that should have been covered. New York City has a quiet but powerful answer to this: the Health Insurance Information, Counseling, and Assistance Program, known as HIICAP. It is run through the NYC Department for the Aging (DFTA) and it is completely free. No membership. No income test. No sales pitch.
What HIICAP actually does
HIICAP counselors are trained to give objective, non-commercial help with Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, Part D drug plans, and Medicare Savings Programs. According to the NYC Aging Health Insurance Assistance page, counselors will sit down with you — in person or by phone — and walk through your coverage one item at a time. They are forbidden from selling you anything. They cannot recommend a specific plan, but they can compare your options side by side using the same Medicare.gov tools an agent would use, without the agent’s commission.
Medicare open enrollment for the 2026 plan year ran through December 7, 2025, and the next general open enrollment will run again from October 15 through December 7, 2026. Outside of those windows, HIICAP can still help with Medicare Savings Programs, the Extra Help drug subsidy, and special enrollment situations like moving, losing coverage, or aging in.
How to reach a counselor — three verified phone numbers
- Aging Connect (NYC, multilingual): 212-AGING-NYC, which dials 212-244-6469. This is the front door for any DFTA service, including HIICAP appointments. Confirmed on the NYC Aging website.
- HIICAP Helpline (toll-free, statewide): 1-800-701-0501. Confirmed on the New York State Office for the Aging HIICAP page.
- 311: Ask for HIICAP or Aging Connect. The 311 operator can connect you or schedule a follow-up call.
The DFTA main office is at 2 Lafayette Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10007. You don’t need to go there to get HIICAP — the program meets you closer to home through senior centers and community organizations across the boroughs.
What to bring (or have nearby) for your appointment
- Your red, white, and blue Medicare card
- Any current Medicare Advantage or Part D plan card and benefit summary
- A list of every prescription you take, the dosage, and the pharmacy you use
- Your current monthly income and any documentation of housing costs (this matters for Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help)
- Recent bills you don’t understand — bring them. That’s the point.
Programs HIICAP can help you apply for
- Medicare Savings Programs (MSP): Pays your Part B premium and, depending on income tier, more. Administered by New York State.
- Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy): Federal program that lowers Part D drug costs.
- EPIC: New York State’s pharmacy assistance program for residents 65 and older.
- Medicaid Buy-In and dual eligibility: Coordination between Medicare and Medicaid for those who qualify for both.
How to take action this week
- Call Aging Connect at 212-244-6469 Monday through Friday and ask to schedule a HIICAP appointment. If the wait is long, ask for the closest senior center that hosts a HIICAP counselor.
- If you’d rather start over the phone, call the HIICAP helpline at 1-800-701-0501.
- Gather the documents above before the appointment. The biggest reason these calls run long is missing prescription information.
- If you’re helping a parent or older neighbor, ask DFTA whether they need a signed authorization form for you to participate. Aging Connect can email or mail one.
- Mark your calendar: Medicare open enrollment runs October 15 through December 7, 2026. Schedule a HIICAP review for early October so you have time to make changes.
This article is general public-service information drawn from NYC Department for the Aging and New York State Office for the Aging guidance. Contact your healthcare provider for medical advice and verify program details with HIICAP at 1-800-701-0501 or Aging Connect at 212-244-6469. Medicare and state benefit rules change every year — confirm current eligibility before applying.
