Medicare Advocate

Title:    Medicare Advocate                                            

Department:    HICAP – San Francisco

FLSA Status:    Non-Exempt

Reports To:    Program Manager

Summary:    The Medicare Advocate counsels Medicare beneficiaries and those individuals soon to be eligible for Medicare benefits, provides information, and advocates on behalf of older adults and people with disabilities, and may conduct community outreach and education. Activities are related to the following objectives:

⦁  Assist Medicare beneficiaries with questions about health benefits, health claims, and insurance problems through direct counseling and informal advocacy.

⦁  Support the independence of people making choices that affect their health and financial well-being. 

⦁  Inform the public and interested parties about the challenges associated with Medicare and related health insurance plans and products. 

Training will be provided on Medicare, Medi-Cal, and other health care topics to enable the Medicare Advocates to become registered Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy (HICAP) Counselors. 

Essential Functions:

⦁  Counseling- Provides individual counseling and informational services to Medicare beneficiaries regarding Medicare insurance options, eligibility for financial assistance programs to help with Medicare costs, billing problems, and other related topics. 

⦁  Advocacy - Assists individuals as appropriate to ensure that clients’ rights and privileges under Medicare are upheld, makes appropriate referrals to legal services and /or other agencies, and offers other referrals and/or interventions as needed and appropriate.

⦁  Record Keeping-Maintains accurate database records on all clients, contacts, and services  

⦁  Community Outreach and Education - Attend outreach events or conduct presentations to community groups, senior centers, senior lunch sites, etc. Providing presentations regarding HICAP services, Medicare, Medicare Supplemental (Medigap) insurance, long-term care insurance, consumer rights, Medicare Advantage (MA), and prescription drug plans (PDP) and promotes program publicity.

⦁  Collaboration and Communications- Demonstrates a collaborative and respectful approach to working with colleagues, contributing to a positive, team-oriented work environment. 

⦁  Attendance and Punctuality- Maintains regular and reliable attendance, adhering to assigned work schedules and punctuality standards. 

⦁  Substitutes for volunteer counselors at counseling sites when needed. 

⦁  Performs other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications:

⦁  Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training with a minimum of two years providing services in a social services or health care organization or related experience. 

⦁  Must complete HICAP counselor training and/or registration within 2 months of employment, depending on program needs. Must maintain current registration standards as outlined by the CDA.

⦁  Three or more years providing services in a social services or health care organization or related experience. 

⦁  Knowledge of Medicare, Medi-Cal, Medigap, managed care, long-term care insurance, and health care delivery systems preferred.

⦁  Must abide by the HICAP Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Guidelines as outlined by the CDA and HICAP. These include having no past or present employment or financial interests and investments, or personal affiliations that may affect their ability to provide HICAP services in an objective and unbiased manner. 

⦁  Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, and experience in group presentations. Bilingual in English and Chinese/Spanish/Russian/Vietnamese preferred.

⦁  Must be self-motivated, organized, and able to multitask under minimal supervision. 

⦁  Ability to work independently and in a team environment; 

⦁  Sensitive to the needs of the elderly and disabled adults from diverse ethnic and minority cultures.

⦁  Proficient in MS Office and the Internet. 

⦁  Must be able to travel via public transportation or personal vehicle for the performance of job duties. If driving, must have and maintain a valid CA driver license, satisfactory driving record, and auto insurance coverage as specified in Self-Help's policy.

Self-Help for the Elderly is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmation Action Employer and we welcome diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristics protected by law. We participate in E-Verify.

Qualified applicants with criminal history will be considered for employment in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

We may provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please call (415) 677-7600 for special assistance.