Understood Care
Patient Advocacy Without the Call Center
Searching for a patient advocate near you? Understood Care is fully virtual and covered by Medicare, so the closest advocate is the one already on your phone. One dedicated advocate handles the bills, appeals, appointments, and paperwork, and knows the programs specific to your state.
Or call (646) 904-4027.
A "near me" search usually turns up hospital complaint lines and private advocates who bill by the hour. Advocacy does not need a waiting room; it needs someone who picks up, remembers your case, and keeps going until it is fixed.
You are matched with one advocate who stays with you, not whoever happens to answer at an office near you. They learn your doctors, your plan, and your history once, and keep it.
Your advocate is a real person, backed by tools that track every bill, denial, and deadline, so nothing gets lost between calls.
A first check-in within 7 days, then a steady 30-day rhythm. You are never left wondering who is working on your problem.
Medicare is federal, but Medigap rights, assistance programs, and local resources change at the state line. Our state guides collect what actually differs where you live:
Medigap year-round switching, HIICAP, EPIC, CDPAP, all 62 counties.
See the New York guideFederal Medigap timing, HICAP, Medicare Savings Programs, STAR+PLUS and CDS, all 254 counties.
See the Texas guideFederal Medigap timing with no under-65 window, Georgia SHIP / GeorgiaCares, Medicare Savings Programs, CCSP and SOURCE, all 159 counties.
See the Georgia guideFederal Medigap timing plus a state-mandated under-65 disability window, SHIIP counseling, Medicare Savings Programs, CAP/DA and PACE, all 100 counties.
See the North Carolina guideFederal Medigap timing plus a broad under-65 disability and ESRD Medigap right (Fla. Stat. 627.6741), SHINE counseling, Medicare Savings Programs, SMMC Long-Term Care and PACE, all 67 counties.
See the Florida guideFederal Medigap timing plus a strong under-65 disability and ESRD Medigap right at age-65 rates (31 Pa. Code Ch. 89), PA MEDI counseling, the PACE and PACENET drug programs, Medicare Savings Programs, Community HealthChoices and LIFE, all 67 counties.
See the Pennsylvania guideFederal Medigap timing with no under-65 Medigap right, OSHIIP counseling from the Ohio Department of Insurance, Medicare Savings Programs, the PASSPORT waiver, MyCare Ohio and PACE, all 88 counties.
See the Ohio guideThe Medigap birthday rule (switch to an equal-or-lesser plan for 60 days every year, no underwriting) plus an under-65 disability Medigap right, HICAP counseling, the Medicare Savings Programs with no Medi-Cal asset test, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), Medi-Medi Plans and PACE, all 58 counties.
See the California guideFederal Medigap timing with no birthday rule and no under-65 Medigap option, SHIP counseling from the Department of Economic Security, the Medicare Savings Programs AHCCCS runs with no asset test, and the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) with paid family caregiving, all 15 counties.
See the Arizona guideFederal Medigap timing with no birthday rule plus a narrow under-65 disability Medigap mandate, MMAP counseling (Michigan's SHIP), the Medicare Savings Programs MDHHS runs with an income and asset test, and paid family caregiving through the Home Help program, the MI Choice waiver, and PACE, all 83 counties.
See the Michigan guideFederal Medigap timing with no birthday rule plus a strong under-65 disability Medigap right at age-65 rates, SHIP counseling, the PAAD and Senior Gold state drug programs, the Medicare Savings Programs the Division of Aging Services runs with an income and asset test, and paid family caregiving through the Personal Preference Program under MLTSS, all 21 counties.
See the New Jersey guideA new 2025 Medigap birthday rule for ages 65 to 75 plus an under-65 disability Medigap right (capped at the top over-65 rate), SHIP counseling from the Department on Aging, no state drug program so Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Programs HFS runs with an income and asset test matter more, and paid family caregiving through the Home Services Program and the Community Care Program, all 102 counties.
See the Illinois guideA 2025 Medigap birthday rule (a 60-day window every year to switch to a same-benefit-level plan from any insurer, no underwriting) plus a strong under-65 disability and ESRD Medigap right at age-65 rates, VICAP counseling from DARS, the Medicare Savings Programs DMAS runs with an income and asset test, and paid family caregiving through the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus Waiver under Cardinal Care, all 95 counties and 38 independent cities.
See the Virginia guideYear-round Medigap switching to an equal-or-lesser plan from any insurer with no underwriting (but no under-65 disability Medigap mandate), SHIBA counseling from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the Medicare Savings Programs the Health Care Authority runs with no asset test, and paid family caregiving through Apple Health's COPES waiver and Community First Choice, all 39 counties.
See the Washington guideA Medigap birthday rule (a 30-day window every year to switch to an equal-or-lesser plan from any insurer, no underwriting) plus a guaranteed-issue under-65 disability Medigap right, SHIP counseling from the Maryland Department of Aging, the SPDAP drug-premium subsidy, the Medicare Savings Programs the Maryland Department of Health runs with income and asset limits, and paid family caregiving through Community First Choice, all 23 counties and Baltimore City.
See the Maryland guideThe state's own Medigap plans (Core, Supplement 1, and Supplement 1A) with community rating and continuous guaranteed issue (switch supplements year-round, no underwriting, and no under-65 disability lockout), SHINE counseling from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, the Prescription Advantage drug program, the Medicare Savings Programs MassHealth runs with no asset test, and paid family caregiving through the Personal Care Attendant program, all 14 counties.
See the Massachusetts guideThe state's own Medigap design (a standardized Basic plan built up with riders, not the federal letter plans A through N, one of only three states) regulated by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, with no birthday rule but an under-65 disability Basic-plan right, the Medigap Helpline from the Board on Aging and Long Term Care, the SeniorCare drug program ($30 a year, no asset test), the Medicare Savings Programs Wisconsin Medicaid runs with income and asset limits, and paid family caregiving through the IRIS self-directed program, all 72 counties.
See the Wisconsin guideThe standard federal Medigap letter plans with no birthday rule but a state-mandated under-65 disability Medigap right (a fresh guaranteed-issue window at 65), regulated by the Colorado Division of Insurance, Colorado SHIP counseling housed within the Division of Insurance, no state drug program so federal Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Programs Health First Colorado runs with income and asset limits matter more, and paid family caregiving through the CDASS self-directed program, all 64 counties.
See the Colorado guideThe standard federal Medigap letter plans with no birthday rule and no state under-65 disability Medigap right (under-65 coverage is underwritten until a fresh guaranteed-issue window opens at 65), regulated by the Alabama Department of Insurance, Alabama SHIP counseling from the Department of Senior Services, no state drug program so federal Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Programs Alabama Medicaid runs with no asset test matter more, and paid family caregiving through the Personal Choices self-directed program, all 67 counties.
See the Alabama guideThe standard federal Medigap letter plans with no birthday rule but a state-mandated under-65 disability Medigap right (a 2011 law requires insurers to offer the same plans to under-65 disability enrollees, though they may charge that group more), regulated by the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, TN SHIP counseling from the Department of Disability and Aging, no state drug program so federal Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Programs TennCare runs with income and asset limits matter more, and paid family caregiving through CHOICES Consumer Direction (an adult child, sibling, or parent, but not a spouse), all 95 counties.
See the Tennessee guideOne of only three states that designs its own Medigap plans (a Basic or Extended Basic plan built up with riders, not the federal letter plans) with a strong under-65 disability right (the six-month open enrollment is granted at any age) and a new 2023 fall guaranteed-issue window taking effect in 2026, regulated by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Senior LinkAge Line counseling from the Board on Aging, no state drug program so federal Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Programs the Department of Human Services runs with income and asset limits matter more, and paid family caregiving through CDCS and CFSS (a spouse or the parent of a minor can be paid), plus MSHO instead of PACE, all 87 counties.
See the Minnesota guideFederal Medigap timing plus a new 2025 under-65 disability and ESRD Medigap right (SEA 215), SHIP counseling from the Indiana Department of Insurance, Medicare Savings Programs, and paid family caregiving through Indiana PathWays for Aging, the PathWays to Aging Waiver's Structured Family Caregiving, and PACE, all 92 counties.
See the Indiana guideFederal Medigap timing with no birthday rule and no state under-65 disability or ESRD Medigap right (only a couple of carriers offer under-65 policies, at higher premiums, with a fresh guaranteed-issue window at 65), SHIIP counseling from the Iowa Insurance Division, no state drug program so federal Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Programs Iowa HHS runs matter more, and paid family caregiving through the HCBS Elderly Waiver's Consumer Choices Option and Consumer Directed Attendant Care (CDAC), plus PACE from UnityPoint Health, all 99 counties.
See the Iowa guideA Medigap birthday rule (a 60-day window every year from your birthday to switch to an equal-or-lesser plan with no underwriting, in place since September 2023) plus a state-mandated under-65 disability Medigap right (at least one plan since 1994, premium capped at the top over-65 rate), SHIP counseling from the Oklahoma Insurance Department, no state drug program so federal Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Programs SoonerCare runs matter more, and paid family caregiving through the ADvantage Waiver's CD-PASS, plus PACE from Valir, Cherokee Elder Care, and LIFE, all 77 counties.
See the Oklahoma guideFederal Medigap timing with no birthday rule but an unusually strong state-mandated under-65 disability Medigap right (guaranteed issue at age-65 rates, with a fresh window at 65), regulated by the Kansas Insurance Department, SHICK counseling from KDADS, no state drug program so federal Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Programs KanCare runs matter more (Kansas has not expanded Medicaid), and paid family caregiving through the HCBS Frail Elderly Waiver's self-directed Attendant Care, plus PACE from Midland Care, Bluestem PACE, and Via Christi HOPE, all 105 counties.
See the Kansas guideFederal Medigap timing with no birthday rule plus a new under-65 disability Medigap right (LB 852, effective Jan. 1, 2025: at least Plan A at up to 150% of the age-65 rate, ESRD excluded), Nebraska SHIP counseling from the Department of Insurance, no state drug program so federal Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Programs matter more (Nebraska expanded Medicaid in 2020), and paid family caregiving through the HCBS Aged and Disabled Waiver's AD Independent Provider option, plus PACE from Immanuel Pathways in Omaha, all 93 counties.
See the Nebraska guideAn unusually strong Medigap regime under HB 345 (KRS 304.14-525, effective Jan. 1, 2024): a guaranteed-issue under-65 disability and ESRD right to every plan at no more than the weighted average of the insurer's 65-plus rates, plus a 60-day birthday rule to switch insurers on the same plan, regulated by the Kentucky Department of Insurance; Kentucky SHIP counseling from the Department for Aging and Independent Living through 15 Area Agencies on Aging, no state drug program so federal Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Programs the Department for Medicaid Services runs via kynect matter more (Kentucky expanded Medicaid in 2014), and paid family caregiving through the Home and Community Based Waiver's Participant Directed Services, plus PACE programs across the state, all 120 counties.
See the Kentucky guideFederal Medigap timing with no birthday rule and only a limited under-65 disability right (at least Plan A since July 2018, at higher-than-age-65 premiums), Arkansas SHIIP counseling from the Arkansas Insurance Department, no state drug program so federal Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Programs Arkansas DHS runs matter more (Arkansas expanded Medicaid in 2014, the private option now ARHOME), and paid family caregiving through the ARChoices in Homecare waiver's IndependentChoices option (adult children and other relatives, not spouses), plus a limited PACE footprint in Northwest Arkansas, all 75 counties.
See the Arkansas guideA new Medigap birthday rule (effective January 1, 2026 under SB 71: a yearly window around your birthday to switch to an equal-or-lesser plan with no underwriting) plus a long-standing under-65 disability Medigap right (SB 42, 2013), DMAB counseling from the Delaware Department of Insurance, the Medicare Savings Programs the DMMA runs with no asset test, the state-funded Delaware Prescription Assistance Program (DPAP), and paid family caregiving through Diamond State Health Plan-Plus managed LTSS (an entitlement, no waitlist), plus PACE Your LIFE in Kent and Sussex, all three counties.
See the Delaware guideFederal Medigap timing with no birthday rule but a long-standing state-mandated under-65 disability Medigap right (all plans, guaranteed issue in the six-month window from Part B, one of the first states to require it), ServiceLink SHIP counseling run by the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services, no state drug program so federal Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Programs New Hampshire Medicaid runs with an income and asset test matter more, and paid family caregiving through the Choices for Independence (CFI) waiver's self-directed option (an adult child, not a spouse; an active waiting list), with no PACE program, all 10 counties.
See the New Hampshire guideFederal Medigap timing with no birthday rule but a state-mandated under-65 disability Medigap right (required since late 2013, though Montana does not regulate the under-65 premium, so it can run several times higher until a fresh window opens at 65), regulated by the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, SHIP counseling from the DPHHS Senior and Long Term Care Division, the state-funded Big Sky Rx program that helps pay the Part D premium, the Medicare Savings Programs Montana Medicaid runs with an income and asset test, and paid family caregiving through Community First Choice (an entitlement; an adult child, not a spouse) and the Big Sky Waiver (waiting lists, but a spouse can be paid), with no PACE program, all 56 counties.
See the Montana guideFederal Medigap timing with no birthday rule and NO state-mandated under-65 disability right (the CHAND high-risk pool that used to give under-65 beneficiaries a Medigap option stopped new enrollments in May 2025 and ended coverage at the close of 2025, so under-65 options are now very limited), regulated by the North Dakota Insurance Department, SHIC counseling run by that same department, no state pharmaceutical assistance program so federal Extra Help carries the drug-cost load, the Medicare Savings Programs North Dakota Medicaid runs through county social services with an income and asset test, and paid family caregiving through the Medicaid HCBS waiver's consumer-directed personal care (an adult child, sibling, or other relative; spouse eligibility varies by program), with Northland PACE in Bismarck, Dickinson, Fargo, and Minot, all 53 counties.
See the North Dakota guideFederal Medigap timing with no birthday rule and NO state-mandated under-65 disability right, though — unlike North Dakota's closed CHAND pool — South Carolina still runs a high-risk pool (the South Carolina Health Insurance Pool, Plans A, C, and D at higher-than-standard premiums), regulated by the South Carolina Department of Insurance, I-CARE counseling run by the South Carolina Department on Aging, no state pharmaceutical assistance program so federal Extra Help carries the drug-cost load, the Medicare Savings Programs South Carolina Healthy Connections Medicaid runs with an income and asset test, and paid family caregiving through the Community Choices waiver's participant-directed attendant care via Community Long Term Care (an adult child or other chosen provider; a spouse for attendant care but not companion care), with BoldAge PACE and Prisma Health SeniorCare PACE, and — unlike most mesh states — Medicaid NOT expanded, all 46 counties.
See the South Carolina guideMedigap rules that go well past federal law — community-rated premiums and no denials for age or health, so you can buy or switch a plan any month, plus Plans A through D for people on Medicare through disability — regulated by the Connecticut Insurance Department, CHOICES counseling through the Department of Aging and Disability Services, Medicare Savings Programs with no asset test, the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders, and paid family caregiving through Community First Choice (relatives such as an adult child, not a spouse), across all 169 towns and nine planning regions.
See the Connecticut guideA state Medigap birthday rule — 63 days from each birthday to switch to an equal or lesser plan with the same insurer or an affiliate, no health questions — plus a six-month open enrollment for people on Medicare through disability, regulated by the Louisiana Department of Insurance, LaSHIP counseling run by that same department, Medicare Savings Programs with no asset test, the Community Choices Waiver (a relative such as an adult child can be the paid worker; a spouse only with state approval), and PACE in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Alexandria, across all 64 parishes.
See the Louisiana guideA new state Medigap birthday rule (since May 2025: 60 days from each birthday to switch to a comparable or lower-tier plan with the same insurer, no medical underwriting) but no state under-65 disability right, regulated by the Utah Insurance Department, SHIP counseling from the Division of Aging and Adult Services through 12 Area Agencies on Aging, Medicare Savings Programs the Department of Workforce Services decides with an income and asset test, no state drug program, the Aging Waiver (a relative such as an adult child can be the paid attendant; waiting list) and the New Choices Waiver, and no PACE program, across all 29 counties.
See the Utah guideA yearly Medigap anniversary rule (drop your policy within 30 days of its anniversary and any insurer must sell you the same plan, no health questions) plus a six-month open enrollment for people on Medicare through disability, regulated by the Department of Commerce and Insurance, free Missouri SHIP counseling, Medicare Savings Programs the Family Support Division decides with an income and resource test, MORx (the state drug program that pays half of Part D out-of-pocket costs), Consumer Directed Services (an adult child can be the paid caregiver; a spouse or guardian cannot), and PACE in Springfield, St. Louis, and Kansas City, across all 114 counties and the City of St. Louis.
See the Missouri guideA Medigap birthday rule (each year, from the first day of your birthday month for at least 60 days, switch to a plan with the same or lesser benefits from any insurer, no health questions) plus a 2025 law opening Medigap to people under 65 on Medicare through disability, regulated by the Nevada Division of Insurance, free counseling from the Nevada Medicare Assistance Program (MAP), Medicare Savings Programs the Division of Social Services decides with an income and resource test, no state drug program since Senior Rx ended in 2023, the Frail Elderly Waiver (65+, waiting list), self-directed personal care (an adult child can be the paid caregiver; a spouse or guardian cannot), and no PACE program yet, across all 16 counties and Carson City.
See the Nevada guideA Medigap birthday rule (each year, for 63 days beginning on your birthday, switch to a plan with comparable or lesser benefits from any insurer, no health questions), community-rated Medigap premiums that are not based on age, and a six-month open enrollment for people under 65 on Medicare through disability, regulated by the Idaho Department of Insurance, free SHIBA counseling from the same department, four Area Agencies on Aging under the Idaho Commission on Aging, Medicare Savings Programs the Department of Health and Welfare decides with an income and resource test, the Medicare Medicaid Coordinated Plan for people with both coverages, the Aged and Disabled Waiver for care at home (a spouse cannot be the paid caregiver), and no PACE program, across all 44 counties.
See the Idaho guideAlaska, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming already have published Medicare guides, and their local hubs are next. We are releasing the rest state by state. Advocacy itself is available nationwide today; the guides just take longer to research properly.
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Read moreYes. Understood Care advocates work with Medicare members in every state by phone and video, so the nearest advocate is the one already on your phone. You keep the same dedicated advocate no matter where you live, or move.
Understood Care's patient advocacy is covered by Medicare, and most members pay nothing out of pocket. Private advocates in your area typically bill by the hour; this does not.
No. Everything a local advocate would do in person, from untangling bills to preparing you for appointments, your advocate does by phone or video and follows up in writing. Your advocate can also loop in a family caregiver in another city on the same call.
All 50 states, today. State guides, which explain the Medigap rules and assistance programs specific to where you live, are live for New York, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, California, Arizona, Michigan, New Jersey, Illinois, Virginia, Washington, Maryland, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Colorado, Alabama, Tennessee, Minnesota, Indiana, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Kentucky, Arkansas, Delaware, New Hampshire, Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina, Connecticut, Louisiana, Utah, Missouri, Nevada and Idaho, and published for Alaska, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming. We are releasing the rest state by state.
Close, and the differences matter. A patient navigator (or care navigator) is the nearest synonym; Medicare's official name for the covered benefit is Principal Illness Navigation. A caseworker or social worker usually works for a county program and manages one benefit; a case manager works for your insurance plan or hospital; a care coordinator typically schedules within one clinic. Your Understood Care advocate does the navigator's job across all of them, on your side only. One thing an advocate is not: a Medicare insurance agent. We sell no plans and earn no commissions.
Sign up at app.understoodcare.com or call (646) 904-4027. You are matched with one dedicated advocate who reaches out within 7 days and then stays on a steady 30-day cadence.
Or call (646) 904-4027.