Fil-Am commended for counseling US seniors about Medicare
Giving back happens every day at San Mateo County's Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), the local nonprofit administered by the U.S. state and federal governments to provide free, unbiased and confidential counseling to Medicare beneficiaries and their families.
First responder at the office is Jackie Aspiras Fernandez, pioneer staff member and among those recently honored at the program’s annual appreciation event.
She holds the title clerical assistant, which is just one of the Filipino American’s many responsibilities. Hired nearly a decade ago, the certified nurse’s aide on track to become a registered nurse is a specialist in Medicare, the federal health insurance program offered to all citizens and lawful residents who have worked for at least 10 years in the United States.
All HICAP counselors attend multiple hours of training required to be registered with the state. Fernandez has acquired profound knowledge of the program to help beneficiaries understand what can be a complicated system.
“I’ve learned so much since I’ve worked here,” said the Half Moon Bay resident, who received commendations for seven years of counseling. “The best part is giving the good news to clients who thought they had lost their health insurance or that they had to pay beyond their means. Most of the time they are confused by the many details involved in the process. Having an advocate makes a difference, especially to newcomers in this country.”
Born in Redwood City, the capital of San Mateo County, Fernandez speaks conversational Spanish and a smattering of Ilocano, her parents’ first language. She understands but is not fluent in Tagalog, the most spoken Asian language in the county. Filipino clients who appreciate her assistance enjoy teaching her frequently-used phrases.
U.S. Census records show that Filipinos make up some 10 percent of San Mateo County residents. Its largest municipality, Daly City, has the highest concentration of Filipinos in any place in the continental United States. Residents who seek one-on-one counseling may meet with a counselor at the Doelger Center in the Westlake District . The center is a popular recreation location for multigenerational Filipino-American families. It is one of 33 HICAPSMC sites in the county.
“It’s a small world,” said Fernandez. “When callers find out I’m of Filipino descent, they ask where my family is from in the Philippines. They want to know if I’ve been there, how many times, and when I plan to come back. Having that commonality makes them feel comfortable talking to me.”
Fernandez said she joined HICAP “because I like helping people.” Down the road she hopes to build on the experience and elevate her desire to serve to at her own home care facility. Recently, she attended licensed vocational nursing classes at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts in San Mateo.
Growing up in an extended family, she witnessed her grandparents’ difficulty comprehending notices from Medicare. “That taught me the value of a second pair of eyes,” she used a metaphor.
She sees herself in the children of Filipino clients at the nonprofit’s offices in an accessible business park.
“They’re all educated, speak and read English, and still they seek assurance they are making the ideal choices for themselves,” she noted.
The nonprofit’s staff and volunteers boost HICAP’s mission to empower seniors and people with disabilities.
From an all-volunteer entity in 1988, the office later began hiring support staff. Pioneer employee Fernandez received recognition for her nine-year service at the program’s annual appreciation brunch.
Guest speaker San Mateo County Supervisor Adrienne Tissier assessed HICAP staff and volunteers’ work as “immeasurable” and Betty Fung, director of Programs of Self-Help for the Elderly, the nonprofit that sponsors HICAPSMC, praised their dedication as “noble.” Rob Fucilla, Community Partner Liaison of Health Plan of San Mateo, echoed the team’s client satisfaction rating as “excellent overall” at over 98 percent.
“HICAP was envisioned as a medium for caring individuals, who wish to make a difference for others,” said Christina Kahn, HICAPSMC program manager. “Our mission is to educate and empower the public, which we could not fulfill without the support of our volunteers.”
Program assistant David Samson thanked volunteers for their “sparkling performance.”
For two decades, the San Mateo County office has been the “home” of founding volunteer Mary Pappas.
“It all started in 1975 by a lady named Leona McGann, a social worker at Stanford who is the true ‘mother’ of HICAP,” said Pappas, a social worker with the San Francisco Dept. of Public Welfare from 1958 to 1963. Since then she has played a key role in developing and overseeing programs for seniors in the county. “I've been a volunteer, a program manager, and volunteer, a part-time program specialist, and now the circle has closed. I'm now a volunteer again. I'm so proud of the program, and have enjoyed all of what I was able to contribute, and happy that I am still able do so.”
“Our seasoned volunteers like Mary inspire and support those who have come aboard later,” said Leticia Perez, volunteer coordinator.
“Volunteering for HICAP for 15 years has given me the opportunity to keep abreast of my own evolving Medicare benefits and help countless other do the same,” said Clarke Wells, a retired journalist. “A good understanding of Medicare and its many related programs is critical to our national health care.”
Though HICAP is nearing its 30th year of serving beneficiaries of Medicare, many are unaware of its existence and no-cost services. San Mateo County residents may call 650-627-9350 for more information. California residents may call the toll-free number800-434-0222 to reach programs in other counties. -- Philippine News
First responder at the office is Jackie Aspiras Fernandez, pioneer staff member and among those recently honored at the program’s annual appreciation event.
Jackie Aspiras Fernandez has been counseling for seven years. Photo courtesy of Philippine News
All HICAP counselors attend multiple hours of training required to be registered with the state. Fernandez has acquired profound knowledge of the program to help beneficiaries understand what can be a complicated system.
“I’ve learned so much since I’ve worked here,” said the Half Moon Bay resident, who received commendations for seven years of counseling. “The best part is giving the good news to clients who thought they had lost their health insurance or that they had to pay beyond their means. Most of the time they are confused by the many details involved in the process. Having an advocate makes a difference, especially to newcomers in this country.”
Born in Redwood City, the capital of San Mateo County, Fernandez speaks conversational Spanish and a smattering of Ilocano, her parents’ first language. She understands but is not fluent in Tagalog, the most spoken Asian language in the county. Filipino clients who appreciate her assistance enjoy teaching her frequently-used phrases.
U.S. Census records show that Filipinos make up some 10 percent of San Mateo County residents. Its largest municipality, Daly City, has the highest concentration of Filipinos in any place in the continental United States. Residents who seek one-on-one counseling may meet with a counselor at the Doelger Center in the Westlake District . The center is a popular recreation location for multigenerational Filipino-American families. It is one of 33 HICAPSMC sites in the county.
“It’s a small world,” said Fernandez. “When callers find out I’m of Filipino descent, they ask where my family is from in the Philippines. They want to know if I’ve been there, how many times, and when I plan to come back. Having that commonality makes them feel comfortable talking to me.”
Fernandez said she joined HICAP “because I like helping people.” Down the road she hopes to build on the experience and elevate her desire to serve to at her own home care facility. Recently, she attended licensed vocational nursing classes at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts in San Mateo.
Growing up in an extended family, she witnessed her grandparents’ difficulty comprehending notices from Medicare. “That taught me the value of a second pair of eyes,” she used a metaphor.
She sees herself in the children of Filipino clients at the nonprofit’s offices in an accessible business park.
“They’re all educated, speak and read English, and still they seek assurance they are making the ideal choices for themselves,” she noted.
The nonprofit’s staff and volunteers boost HICAP’s mission to empower seniors and people with disabilities.
From an all-volunteer entity in 1988, the office later began hiring support staff. Pioneer employee Fernandez received recognition for her nine-year service at the program’s annual appreciation brunch.
Guest speaker San Mateo County Supervisor Adrienne Tissier assessed HICAP staff and volunteers’ work as “immeasurable” and Betty Fung, director of Programs of Self-Help for the Elderly, the nonprofit that sponsors HICAPSMC, praised their dedication as “noble.” Rob Fucilla, Community Partner Liaison of Health Plan of San Mateo, echoed the team’s client satisfaction rating as “excellent overall” at over 98 percent.
“HICAP was envisioned as a medium for caring individuals, who wish to make a difference for others,” said Christina Kahn, HICAPSMC program manager. “Our mission is to educate and empower the public, which we could not fulfill without the support of our volunteers.”
Program assistant David Samson thanked volunteers for their “sparkling performance.”
For two decades, the San Mateo County office has been the “home” of founding volunteer Mary Pappas.
“It all started in 1975 by a lady named Leona McGann, a social worker at Stanford who is the true ‘mother’ of HICAP,” said Pappas, a social worker with the San Francisco Dept. of Public Welfare from 1958 to 1963. Since then she has played a key role in developing and overseeing programs for seniors in the county. “I've been a volunteer, a program manager, and volunteer, a part-time program specialist, and now the circle has closed. I'm now a volunteer again. I'm so proud of the program, and have enjoyed all of what I was able to contribute, and happy that I am still able do so.”
“Our seasoned volunteers like Mary inspire and support those who have come aboard later,” said Leticia Perez, volunteer coordinator.
“Volunteering for HICAP for 15 years has given me the opportunity to keep abreast of my own evolving Medicare benefits and help countless other do the same,” said Clarke Wells, a retired journalist. “A good understanding of Medicare and its many related programs is critical to our national health care.”
Though HICAP is nearing its 30th year of serving beneficiaries of Medicare, many are unaware of its existence and no-cost services. San Mateo County residents may call 650-627-9350 for more information. California residents may call the toll-free number800-434-0222 to reach programs in other counties. -- Philippine News
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