California Health Advocates

02/26/2026

Hang up or ignore suspicious calls or messages. Government employees will NEVER threaten you or demand immediate payment.

on March 5, 2026!

02/25/2026

⏰ Happening Tomorrow – 2/26!

Join us for our public webinar:
“Social Care & Belonging – What It Is & Why It Matters” 💗

As we age, our social circles often get smaller — and isolation can seriously impact our health, longevity, and quality of life. But building connection and purpose doesn’t happen by accident — it takes intention.

We’re thrilled to welcome Kate Hoepke, Founder & Board Chair of Village Movement California — one of our valued SMP partners. Kate is an articulate and passionate leader who will share why “social care” and belonging are just as important as access to health care in helping us age well.

We’ll also hear from Lucy Ngo of the California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), who will provide a timely Medicare fraud update.

If you care about healthy aging, community connection, and protecting yourself from fraud — this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. 😁🌟

📅 February 26 - TOMORROW
🔗 Register now – https://cahealthadvocates.org/event/social-care-and-belonging-what-it-is-why-it-matters/

02/24/2026

📣 : Medicare Telehealth Extended Through 2027!

Consolidated Appropriations Act passed earlier this year brings welcome stability for older adults and people with disabilities.

Congress officially extended Medicare telehealth coverage through December 31, 2027, restoring access to virtual care after months of uncertainty. The extension was signed into law as part of H.R. 7148.

💻 This means Medicare beneficiaries can continue to access telehealth coverage for:
• Primary care
• Mental health services
• Specialty care

Telehealth is especially critical for people in rural areas, those with mobility limitations, and individuals managing chronic conditions.

In addition to telehealth, the funding package protects key programs older adults rely on — including services under the Administration for Community Living, housing supports through U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and continued funding for the Legal Services Corporation.

While this bill doesn’t expand services, it prevents harmful cuts and restores critical access to care.

🔗 Read our full article to learn more: https://cahealthadvocates.org/medicare-telehealth-extended-through-2027-and-other-critical-supports-for-older-adults-funded-for-2026/

02/23/2026

🧐📱Call spoofing is when scammers use software to make you think you are receiving a local call or a call from agencies like Medicare, when really it's someone pretending to be them to get personal information.

Be careful when answering calls and never give out your banking or Medicare information to someone who calls.

☎️ Report suspected fraud to our California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at 1-855-613-7080.

Thank you for posting, SMP National Resource Center!

02/20/2026

Loneliness is not a personal failure — it’s a community challenge. And belonging is something we can build together. 💞

We’re excited to welcome Kate Hoepke — dynamic community organizer and Founder of Village Movement California — for a powerful webinar on Social Care & Belonging.

📅 Thursday, 2/26 at 10am PT
🎙️ Plus a Medicare fraud update from California SMP

Come be inspired, energized, and reminded that connection matters.

👉 Register here: https://cahealthadvocates.org/event/social-care-and-belonging-what-it-is-why-it-matters/

02/19/2026

Correction! 🌟More Good News for Californians Whose Medicare Advantage Plan Terminated as of 12/31/25 -- You Have a Right to Buy a Medigap Till 5/3/26! 😁🌟

Earlier this month, we sent out an article stating that people whose Medicare Advantage plan terminated as of 12/31/25 only had until February 28th to buy a Medigap without at health screening based on federal law.

In California, however, people have a longer window to purchase a Medigap without a health screening than many other states. This is because California law adds an additional 60 day Open Enrollment period onto the 63 day guaranteed issue right, totaling 123 days after their plan ended on December 31, 2025.

So while people in other states only have until February 28, Californians can purchase a Medigap without medical underwriting until May 3, 2026 (May 2 in a leap year). Even so, it is best to get your new coverage sooner rather than later.

If you have questions or need assistance, remember to contact your local Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) at 1-800-434-0222. They provide free, individual and unbiased counseling, advocacy and assistance.

Read our article for more details: https://cahealthadvocates.org/medicare-advantage-plan-ended-you-have-a-guaranteed-right-to-medigap/

02/19/2026

Correction! More Good News for Californians Whose Medicare Advantage Plan Terminated as of 12/31/25
You Have a Right to Buy a Medigap Till 5/3/26! 😁✨

Earlier this month, we sent out an article stating that people whose Medicare Advantage plan terminated as of 12/31/25 only had until February 28th to buy a Medigap without at health screening based on federal law.

In California, however, people have a longer window to purchase a Medigap without a health screening than many other states. This is because California law adds an additional 60 day Open Enrollment period onto the 63 day guaranteed issue right, totaling 123 days after their plan ended on December 31, 2025.

So while people in other states only have until February 28, Californians can purchase a Medigap without medical underwriting until May 3, 2026 (May 2 in a leap year). Even so, it is best to get your new coverage sooner rather than later.

If you have questions or need assistance, remember to contact your local Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) at 1-800-434-0222. They provide free, individual and unbiased counseling, advocacy and assistance.

Read our article for more details:

Californians whose Medicare Advantage plan ended on December 31, 2025 have a guaranteed issue right to purchase a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy through

02/17/2026

All of us at California Health Advocates wish you and your loved ones Lunar New Year's Blessings of Strength, Good Health, Peace, Courage, Joy, Love and Resilience in Community!

02/14/2026

Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful Heart Day! Let's spread the Love!! 😁💕😍🥰💛✨

02/13/2026

Thank you for sharing this important history, SHIP National Technical Assistance Center!

Medicare didn't just provide healthcare for seniors. Medicare desegregated American hospitals almost overnight. Here's a powerful piece of history you might not know:

Before 1965, American hospitals were deeply segregated. Black Americans were denied care at white hospitals or sent to inferior “colored” wards. Civil rights activists knew that changing this required more than laws. It required money.
When Medicare launched in 1966, it came with a catch: hospitals had to desegregate everything, wards, waiting rooms, staffing, cafeterias, or lose access to Medicare payments.

By early 1967, 95% of American hospitals were admitting Black patients without discrimination.

Medicare accomplished in months what decades of activism couldn’t. Economic pressure proved to be one of the most powerful tools for civil rights.

Today, State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP) counselors provide free, unbiased help to Medicare beneficiaries, ensuring they understand their rights and can access the benefits they’re entitled to. From navigating enrollment and comparing plans to appealing denied claims and connecting people with financial assistance, SHIP empowers millions of Americans to make informed health care decisions, continuing the mission for equal access to care that Medicare began.

02/12/2026

Did you know that social connection is as important to our health as access to medical care?
As people age, isolation and loneliness can increase — but with intention, community can be rebuilt.

📅 Thursday, 2/26 | 10am PT
🎤 Social Care & Belonging: What It Is & Why It Matters

Join Kate Hoepke, Founder & Board Chair of Village Movement California, for an energizing conversation on how social care, connection, and belonging support health, longevity, and purpose — at any age.

🛡️ Includes a Medicare fraud update from Rose Morales, Senior SMP Fraund Investigative Analyst, California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP).

👉 Save your spot: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_v5x6xqgWTeCHyS2tBvcBxQ #/registration

02/10/2026

Good news for people with Medicare! 😁🌟
Congress has extended Medicare telehealth coverage ☎️ through December 31, 2027, restoring access to virtual care after months of uncertainty. The new federal funding package also protects key services older adults rely on — including nutrition and caregiver programs, housing supports, legal services, and elder justice initiatives.

👉 Read more about what this means for older adults and why it matters.
https://cahealthadvocates.org/medicare-telehealth-extended-through-2027-and-other-critical-supports-for-older-adults-funded-for-2026/