New Program Answers Consumers' Health Insurance Questions

Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program (HICAP) provides consumers with easy-to-use resources to help them understand and shop for coverage.

June 12, 2012
Media Contact: Jason Moon 517-335-1700
Consumer Hotline: 877-999-6442
http://twitter.com/miofir

LANSING - The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) today announced the Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program (HICAP), which provides Michigan consumers with resources to help them navigate through the complex world of health insurance.

HICAP’s website, www.michigan.gov/hicap has user-friendly links and information on topics such as:

• The different types of health coverage options and minimum coverage requirements.

• The Affordable Care Act and coverage rights under Michigan and federal law.
  
  
• Health coverage rates and OFIR’s role in the review of rate changes.
  
  
• How to resolve a complaint against a health insurer or appeal a health plan’s denial of service.

• How to shop for or switch health care coverage.

“I am excited that we can offer this wide-array of services to Michigan consumers on what can be a very confusing issue,” Commissioner Kevin Clinton said. “HICAP has answers to your health insurance questions.”

OFIR’s highly-trained and dedicated staff is available to answer any health insurance inquiry on the toll-free consumer hotline 877-999-6442.

“This is not an automated phone line. Consumers will be connected directly to real people who will help them with their health insurance concerns,” Clinton added.

Not only can HICAP help consumers with their individual needs, but the program can assist organizations by providing a health insurance specialist to speak at an event. In addition, health insurance-related brochures can be downloaded in several different languages from the HICAP website.

OFIR will be announcing additional consumer resources available under HICAP later this year.