Annual Statewide
CHA & SMP Conferences
January 12-16, 2026
Palm Springs
Schedule
California Health Advocates (CHA) January 12 – 14, 2026
Monday
1:00 – 1:30 pm: Opening Remarks and Welcome
1:30 – 3:00 pm: HICAP Origin Story & National Impact
3:00 – 3:30 pm: BREAK
3:30 – 5:00 pm: CMS 2026 Operational Priorities: Combatting Fraud & Strengthening Medicare Integrity & Beneficiary Protections
Tuesday
8:00 – 8:30 am: Qigong Moving Meditation
9:00 – 10:30 am: Federal Medicare Updates
10:30 – 11:00 am: BREAK
11:00 am- 12:30 pm: Medicare and People Who Work: The COBRA Trap
12:30 – 1:30 pm: LUNCH
1:30 – 3:00 pm: Identifying & Reporting Elder Abuse & Neglect
3:00 – 3:30 pm: BREAK
3:30 – 5:00 pm: Understanding Medicare’s Enrollment Periods
Wednesday
8:45 – 9:00 am: Awards Recognition
9:00 – 10:30 am: Recognizing and Reversing Burnout
10:30 – 11:00 am: BREAK
11:00 am – 12:30 pm: HR 1 Impacts on Access to Health Care for Older Adults
12:30 – 1:30 pm: LUNCH ON YOUR OWN
4:00 – 6:30 pm: Evening Networking & Social Event
Presenters (CHA) January 12 – 14, 2026
Kim Brandt
Chief Operating Officer & Deputy Administrator
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
CMS 2026 Operational Priorities – Combatting Fraud & Strengthening Medicare Integrity & Beneficiary Protections
CMS 2026 Operational Priorities: Combatting Fraud & Strengthening Medicare Integrity & Beneficiary Protections
As Medicare continues to evolve, ensuring program integrity while protecting beneficiaries remains a top priority for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This session will outline CMS’s 2026 operational priorities with a focus on combating fraud, strengthening Medicare integrity, and enhancing protections for beneficiaries. The session will also highlight CMS’s commitment to beneficiary education, transparency, and timely access to care—particularly for older adults and people with disabilities.
This presentation will underscore the critical role of trusted partners, including the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program, in supporting CMS’s fraud prevention efforts through education, early detection, and reporting at the community level.
Biography
Kim Brandt is CMS’ Deputy Administrator and Chief Operating Officer. Previously, she was a Partner at the Washington, D.C.-based policy firm Tarplin, Downs & Young, LLC, where she provided strategic advice on a broad array of healthcare regulatory, enforcement, and policy matters. She also served as an Advisor to the private equity firm Enhanced Healthcare Partners, a private equity firm focused on healthcare, and held board positions at two of its portfolio companies.
Kim has held multiple senior executive positions in government, including serving as Principal Deputy Administrator for Policy and Operations during the first Trump Administration. In that role she oversaw all activities necessary for the operation and management of CMS’ $1.4T budget in addition to leading efforts to reform the Physician Self-referral regulations and develop the first CMS interoperability rule. Kim previously served as Chief Oversight Counsel and General Counsel on the staff of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee where she led multiple healthcare investigations, the investigation into IRS political targeting and oversaw the political nominations process. Before joining the Finance Committee staff, Kim was a Senior Counsel at Alston & Bird in Washington, D.C. Her previous government service includes serving as the CMS Director of the Medicare Program Integrity Group and working at the HHS Office of Inspector General as a Senior Counsel and Director of External Affairs. Kim has a JD with a concentration in health law and an MA in legislative affairs.
Chief Operating Officer & Deputy Administrator,
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
William F. Benson
Board Chair
International Association for Indigenous Aging
HICAP Origin Story & National Impact
HICAP Origin Story & National Impact
Benson, original co-drafter of California legislation creating HICAP and its first director at the CDA, will present about the origins of HICAP, how it became the model for the national SHIP program, the SHIP program’s early history and its significance from a national perspective.
Biography
William F. Benson is co-founder, with Dave Baldridge (Cherokee), and President of the International Association for Indigenous Aging (IA 2 ), a national organization representing the interests of American Indian and Alaska Native elders, with particular focus on elder justice and Alzheimer’s disease and brain health. IA 2 operates national initiatives funded by ACL (the Native American Elder Justice Initiate National Resource Center or NAEJI), as well as the CDC’s Healthy Brain Initiative, and the U.S. Department of Justice. Benson is also President of Health Benefits ABCs, a policy consulting practice. He has spent 5 decades advocating for older adults, holding senior leadership positions in California state government, the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Administration on Aging (now ACL). Benson played a major role in amendments to the Older Americans Act, nursing home reform legislation, establishment of the SHIP Program, the Elder Justice Act, and other notable legislative initiatives. He serves as National Policy Advisor for the National Adult Protective Services Association and American Association of Service Coordinators, among others. Since 2000 Benson has hosted First Person, a series of conversations with Holocaust Survivors for the U.S Holocaust Memorial Museum. Contact him at tbcg@starpower.net or bbenson@iasquared.org.
Board President, International Association for Indigenous Aging
Bonnie Burns
Training & Policy Specialist Consultant
California Health Advocates
Medicare and People Who Work: The COBRA Trap
Medicare & People Who Work: The COBRA Trap
Medicare enrollment and eligibility rules differ during and after employment. This session will focus on understanding when and how Medicare eligibility begins, how it works with employer health benefits, and key decision points to avoid gaps in health coverage and potential penalties that can occur when Medicare eligibility and COBRA coverage collide.
Biography
Bonnie Burns has over thirty years of experience in Medicare, Medicare supplemental insurance, and long-term care insurance. Ms. Burns has served for several years as a consumer representative on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Ms. Burns actively promotes improved consumer protection in state and federal legislative efforts affecting Medicare supplemental and long term care insurance products. Ms. Burns has extensive experience in the research and development of educational material addressing Medicare and related topics, writing various consumer materials for consumer groups and public agencies in California and other states. Ms. Burns is regarded as a national expert in her field and in addition to her own written materials has been quoted in many national publications and broadcast media outlets. In August 2001, she was awarded the national Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services “Beneficiary Services Certificate of Merit” for her dedication and excellence.
Training & Policy Specialist,
California Health Advocates
David Lipschutz
Co-Director of Law and Policy
Medicare Advocacy
Federal Medicare Updates
Federal Medicare Updates
This presentation will cover the latest updates in federal Medicare policy, including access to care in and oversight of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, the future of the Part D benefit, implementation of HR1 and the impacts on Medicare beneficiaries and the trade-offs between MA and traditional Medicare.
Biography
David Lipschutz is the Co-Director of Law and Policy for the Center for Medicare Advocacy in Washington, DC. David engages in public policy issues surrounding Medicare and related coverage as they impact Medicare beneficiaries. This work includes federal administrative and legislative advocacy, collaboration with other consumer advocates to address systemic issues, and monitoring, analyzing and commenting on current Medicare-related policy developments.
Prior to joining CMA in 2010, David worked as a staff attorney at California Health Advocates (CHA), a nonprofit providing advocacy and education for Medicare beneficiaries in California. While at CHA, he engaged in Medicare policy work and provided technical assistance to Medicare counselors and advocates. He also testified before Congress and the California state legislature, and was a frequent lecturer and trainer regarding various Medicare issues. Before joining CHA, David worked as a staff attorney at the Center for Health Care Rights, a non-profit agency that provides direct services to Medicare beneficiaries in Los Angeles County.
Co-Director,
Center for Medicare Advocacy
Jason Sullivan-Halpern, JD
Executive Director
California Long-Term Care Ombudsman Association
Identifying & Reporting Elder Abuse & Neglect
Identifying & Reporting Elder Abuse & Neglect
Elder abuse and neglect remain persistent and growing challenges across California’s aging and long-term care systems. Yet many professionals who interact with older and dependent adults are uncertain about their responsibilities as mandated reporters, or how recent changes in state law affect those obligations. This session will provide an overview of California’s mandated reporting framework, with particular attention to the new requirements established under AB-1417 (Wood, 2023), which took effect in January 2024. Presenters will clarify who qualifies as a mandated reporter, how to recognize and document common signs of abuse and neglect, and how to file reports with the appropriate state and local agencies to fulfill those requirements. The session will also outline how those reports are processed and investigated, helping participants better understand their role in protecting vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Biography
Jason Sullivan-Halpern is the Executive Director of the California Long-Term Care Ombudsman Association (CLTCOA), where he leads statewide legislative and regulatory advocacy to advance the rights, health, safety, and quality of life of older adults and people with disabilities in long-term care. A member of the California Elder and Disability Justice Coordinating Council and the California Elder Justice Coalition, Jason has been instrumental in securing landmark policy reforms and state budget investments for long-term care residents, including the unanimous passage of AB 1417 (Wood 2023), which reformed California’s system for mandated reporting of elder abuse and neglect in facilities, and securing over $17 million in additional state funding for local Ombudsman programs. He holds a J.D. with honors from The Pennsylvania State University, where he concentrated in Advocacy and Public Interest Law, and a B.A. in Philosophy and Political Science from UC Davis.
Executive Director,
California Long-Term Care Ombudsman Association
Kim Tribulski
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Director
Riverside County
Identifying & Reporting Elder Abuse & Neglect
Identifying & Reporting Elder Abuse & Neglect
Elder abuse and neglect remain persistent and growing challenges across California’s aging and long-term care systems. Yet many professionals who interact with older and dependent adults are uncertain about their responsibilities as mandated reporters, or how recent changes in state law affect those obligations. This session will provide an overview of California’s mandated reporting framework, with particular attention to the new requirements established under AB-1417 (Wood, 2023), which took effect in January 2024. Presenters will clarify who qualifies as a mandated reporter, how to recognize and document common signs of abuse and neglect, and how to file reports with the appropriate state and local agencies to fulfill those requirements. The session will also outline how those reports are processed and investigated, helping participants better understand their role in protecting vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Biography
Kim Tribulski is the Director of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program in Riverside County, where she champions the rights, dignity, and quality of life for older adults in long-term care. Her background includes serving as a Human Resource Administrator in the aerospace industry, gaining deep experience in organizational development and the human factors shaping workplace culture. Before transitioning to aging services, Kim focused on qualitative research, exploring how people and organizations make decisions—insights that now guide her resident-centered advocacy. Combining her expertise in research, administration, and human relations, she leads the Ombudsman Program with a commitment to empowering residents and improving systems of care. Kim holds a Master of Social Work with an emphasis in Community Mental Health from California State University, Fullerton.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Director,
Riverside County
Tatiana Fassieux
Training & Education Specialist
California Health Advocates
Understanding Medicare’s Enrollment Periods
Medicare Advantage Marketing: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Understanding Medicare’s Enrollment Periods
In this session, you will learn about the various Medicare Enrollment Periods, and how they may apply to you, your family members and/or clients. Understanding the various enrollment opportunities can also help you avoid getting a Late Enrollment Penalty (LEP) by the Social Security Administration. In addition, if an LEP was given incorrectly, you will learn how to appeal it.
Medicare Advantage Marketing: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Medicare Advantage plans are allowed to market their products throughout the year and use various outlets such as television, radio, direct marketing by phone or mail to do so. They are required to follow specific guidelines set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ to protect consumers and prevent marketing misinformation and enrollment abuses. people from enrolling in plans that don’t meet their needs, or don’t provide t or don’t serve their area. Yet, misleading marketing and fraud happens.
This presentation will:
- Review what MA plans can and cannot do
- Share case examples, including cases where supplemental benefits are being falsely advertised, plans are marketing in areas they don’t even serve, and beneficiaries are tricked into enrolling in plans that don’t meet their needs
- Provide steps to take to protect yourself and others from marketing abuses
- Review the red flags to watch for and how to report suspected fraud
Biography
Tatiana Fassieux is a Training & Education Specialist for California Health Advocates (CHA), an organization dedicated to Medicare advocacy and education for Californians. She has served various terms as Board Chair and has been affiliated with this organization for over 25 years. She conducts many training sessions for California’s Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) volunteers and other organizations. HICAP is the state’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
Ms. Fassieux worked for Passages, a designated Area Agency on Aging, serving the counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Plumas and Tehama for over 25 years. Passages is a project of Chico State Enterprises. She held the position of Program Manager for 15 years, and then as their Outreach Coordinator. Currently she assists with counselor technical and education support.
Ms. Fassieux participates in various local, statewide, and national conferences and committees dealing with Medicare advocacy, benefits education, and enrollment. She is often asked to provide Medicare updates to multiple community groups and organizations serving seniors and people with disabilities. She also provides Medicare counseling and technical support for California’s Tribal nations. She is currently focusing on the impact of California’s Master Plan on Aging and the impact of Medi-Cal changes on individuals who have both Medicare & Medi-Cal.
Training & Education Specialist,
California Health Advocates
Parker Houston, PsyD, ABPP, CPCC
Licensed Clinical Psychologist & Board Certified Organizational Psychologist
Recognizing & Reversing Burnout: An Approach Based on Research
Recognizing & Reversing Burnout
Workplace burnout has become a widespread problem in recent years, with enormous financial cost to organizations, and great personal cost to individuals. This interactive session will highlight the most common research-based factors associated with general workplace burnout.
Participants will leave with practical tools to assess personal and team burnout. They will also create action steps they can take to prevent or reverse burnout in their own workplaces.
Biography
Parker Houston PsyD, ABPP, CPCC is a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified in Organizational and Business Consulting Psychology. He is also a certified Executive Coach. Parker has held multiple Senior Executive positions for some of the most complex and challenging mental health programs in California and has been leading healthcare teams since 2009. He is currently a Chief Psychologist with the California Department of State Hospitals in Sacramento. His personal mission is to share science-based leadership practices to promote healthy and high-performing organizations. Outside of work Parker is known by his family as “The CEO of Fun” for adventure travel, snowboarding, mountain biking, and is involved in his local church.
Chief Psychologist,
California Department of State Hospitals
Tiffany Huyenh Cho, JD
Director, California Medicare & Medicaid Advocacy
Justice in Aging
HR 1 Impacts on Access to Health Care for Older Adults
HR 1 Impacts on Access to Health Care for Older Adults
In July 2025, President Trump signed H.R.1 also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which cuts over a trillion dollars from Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California), Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act. These massive cuts significantly harm access to health and long-term care for older adults, people with disabilities, their caregivers and families in California. H.R.1 makes sweeping changes to health care access, including narrowing immigrant eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid, Medicaid eligibility impacts for low-income older adults 50 and older, and access to cost sharing through the Affordable Care Act exchange. H.R.1 also makes cuts to the funding California receives to operate Medi-Cal, which places programs serving low income older adults at risk.
This presentation will discuss these policy changes and what they mean for Medicare, Medi-Cal, and other health care programs serving older adults. We will review the implementation timeline for these changes and provide tips for advocates to mitigate harm and maintain access to care over the next few years.
Biography
Tiffany Huyenh-Cho is the Director of California Medicare and Medicaid Advocacy at Justice in Aging. Tiffany focuses her efforts on improving the experience of people dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid health coverage in California and federally. This includes advocating for strong individual protections in Medicare Advantage plans and improving access to Medi-Cal, such as working on the implementation of the Medi-Cal asset limit for older adults and people with disabilities, and simplifying application and renewal processes to increase access to Medi-Cal and Medicare Savings Programs. Tiffany joined Justice in Aging in 2021 and prior to Justice in Aging, provided direct legal services to low-income individuals for 8 years at a legal aid in the Bay Area. Tiffany received her law degree from the University of Michigan and her undergraduate degree from UC San Diego.
Director, California Medicare & Medicaid Advocacy,
Justice in Aging
Catherina Isidro
Executive Director and SMP Statewide Director
Opening Remarks/Awards
Catherina Isidro has over 20 years of experience in the private and non-profit sectors, which have given her a keen understanding of the legislative process and association management. She has extensive knowledge in implementing various programs and services for associations. Through her many years of being a seasoned executive, this resulted in a gamut of expertise ranging from association management, strategic planning, fund development, contract negotiations, legislative and public affairs, organizational governance, marketing and communications, membership development, human resources, budget and finance, event planning, and management of a Political Action Committee.
In addition to her role of Executive Director for the California Health Advocates and SMP Director, she is also currently the Executive Director for the Forensic Mental Health Association of CA (FMHAC). Prior to that, she was the Deputy Executive Director for the California Independent Oil Marketers Association where she enhanced the internal organization infrastructure necessary for the growth of these associations.
Executive Director,
California Health Advocates (CHA);
Statewide Director,
Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
Bill Proulx
Santa Cruz County HICAP Program Manager
Opening Remarks/Award
Bill Proulx has served as Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) Program Manager for PSA 13 since 2020, following a 15-year career with the YMCA. He holds a B.S. in Business from Capella University and is an accomplished Ironman and XTERRA World Championship triathlete. He also enjoys hiking, golfing and wine tasting.
CHA Board Chair;
Program Manager,
Santa Cruz County HICAP
Dr. Toper Taylor
Mayor
City of Indian Wells
Conference Welcome
Dr. Toper Taylor is a successful entrepreneur, strategist, curiositist, Emmy award winning producer, Doctor of Policy, Planning and Development, expert of intention and subtle energetic sciences, and a recently elected city councilman.
In his landmark dissertation, the Human Performance Intention Experiment, Dr. Taylor showed that sending positive intentions using a quantum field framework improved athletic performance for an NCAA Division I swim team. There may be other exciting applications of intention, such as business innovation and health improvement.
Dr. Taylor is an expert in media, entertainment, and consumer products. He is a pioneer of family and kids educational entertainment, having produced over 15,000 episodes of television and won awards for his work with authors Marc Brown, Maurice Sendak, Tim Burton, and William Joyce. The three companies Taylor ran, Nelvana Ltd., Cookie Jar Entertainment, and Network of One (renamed Spotter), have all exceeded $1 billion in valuation at one point in their life cycle. He is an expert in strategy, operational execution, innovation, scaling businesses, and raising capital.
Dr. Taylor has three degrees from the University of Southern California: BA in Communications, Master of Healthcare Administration, and Doctor of Policy, Planning, and Development. He serves on the board of councilors for the USC Roski School of Fine Arts & Design, the USC Cinematic Arts alumni association, and is the recipient of the USC President’s Volunteer Award.
Mayor,
City of Indian Wells
Karen Joy Fletcher, MPH
Communications Director,
California Health Advocates; Certified Qigong Teacher
Good Morning Qigong!
Good Morning Qigong
Qigong is a great way to start your day! An ancient yet evolving Chinese system of breath, meditation and movement, Qigong is comprised of simple, yet powerful exercises that cleanse, gather, circulate and store Qi – the beautiful and abundant life energy within us and all around us in Nature, in our Earth and Sky. Plus, Qigong is fun and feels fantastic! Join Karen and enjoy a refreshing, relaxing and nourishing practice that will uplift your spirit, energize your body, and get you ready for a day filled with learning, connection and joy.
Biography
Karen Joy Fletcher, MPH, is a longtime Qigong practitioner, teacher, and writer who has spent over 30 years studying and sharing Qigong and the art of nourishing life “Yang Sheng 養生”. She has trained extensively in China and Taiwan, speaks Mandarin Chinese, and has completed six internships with Master Chinese Medicine doctor Dr. Zhao Fuxue in Zhengzhou, China. A personal student of Qigong Grandmaster Xu Mingtang, she has also trained at the Shaolin Monastery, traveled with him worldwide sharing Qigong’s healing wisdom and is currently a certified Level 3 teacher in the Zhong Yuan Qigong lineage.
Karen has co-led Qigong & Wilderness retreats in Western China, has presented at numerous conferences, universities, and retreat centers including Omega Institute, Breitenbush Hot Springs, and Wilderness Awareness School, and was featured as one of 21 global Qigong experts at The Qigong Effect international summit in 2021. During the pandemic, Karen also founded an international Women’s Nourishing Qigong community, and offers ongoing classes and programs inspiring people to cultivate, nourish and live their good life, filled with health, joy, wisdom and an ever-growing, glowing, deep connection to Nature. She lives in Cascadia with her family, enjoying hiking, nature adventures and living a nourishing life.
Communications Director,
California Health Advocates; Certified Qigong Teacher
Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) January 15 – 16, 2026
Thursday
8:30 – 9:00 am: Opening Remarks
9:00 – 10:30 am: Defrauded: Why Don’t Victims Report? Disparities in Reporting Among Diverse Populations
10:30 – 11:00 am: BREAK
11:00 am – 12:30 pm: Learning to “Know it When You See it” – Fraud Education with Immigrant and Tribal Communities
12:30 – 1:30 pm: LUNCH
1:30 – 3:00 pm: Strengthening Boundaries and Countering Compassion Fatigue
3:00 – 3:30 pm: BREAK
3:30 – 5:00 pm: Medicare Advantage Marketing: The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly
Friday
8:00 – 8:30 am: Qigong Moving Meditation
9:00 – 10:30 am: FBI’s Health Care Fraud Investigations
10:30 – 11:00 am: BREAK
11:00 am – 12:30 pm: Department of Insurance Fraud Investigations on Behalf of California Consumers
12:30 pm: CONFERENCE COMPLETE – We wish you safe travels home
Presenters (SMP) January 15 – 16, 2026
Wendy Patrick, JD, Mdiv, PhD
Career Trial Attorney
Consultant, Black Swan Verdicts
Defrauded: Why Don’t Victims Report? Disparities in Reporting Among Diverse Populations
Learning to “Know it When You See it” – Fraud Education with Immigrant and Tribal Communities
Defrauded: Why Don’t Victims Report? Disparities In Reporting Among Diverse Populations
Vulnerable victims are easy targets—unless they are empowered to recognize and report financial exploitation. This program seeks to pursue justice for victims from diverse populations by exploring and discussing the factors that impact victim willingness to report being defrauded. It will discuss unique issues experienced within certain populations, including vulnerable and marginalized victims, and how to overcome specific barriers to reporting.
Learning to “Know It When You See It” – Fraud Education with Immigrant And Tribal Communities
This program will explore ways to build relationships of trust with immigrant and tribal communities to educate this population about red flags of fraudulent activity, what to do when they see it, how to report it, and the remedies available.
Biography
Wendy L. Patrick, JD, MDiv, PhD, is a career prosecutor, presented by the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court with the California Public Lawyer of the Year award from the State Bar’s Public Law Section. She has completed over 170 trials ranging from complicated fraud cases to domestic violence to first-degree murder. Dr. Patrick teaches and trains around the world and serves as an expert witness in a variety of areas including ways to read red flags of dangerous people, the elimination of bias and discrimination, working with vulnerable populations, and is a trial and jury consultant, preparing victims and witnesses for all aspects of trial. On a personal note, Dr. Patrick holds a purple belt in Shorin-Ryu karate, is a concert violinist with the La Jolla Symphony, and plays the electric violin professionally with a rock band.
Career Trial Attorney,
Consultant, Black Swan Verdicts
Shoba Sreenivasan, PhD
Forensic Psychologist,
CA Dept of State Hospitals
Strengthening Boundaries & Countering Compassion Fatigue
Bio to come.
Strengthening Boundaries & Countering Compassion Fatigue
In this session, you will learn ways to recognize and prevent boundary violations and compassion fatigue. You will also discover the unique hazards that can lead to compromising boundaries and eroding compassion, as well as the benefits of developing strong professional boundaries and compassion capacities.
Forensic Psychologist,
CA Dept of State Hospitals
Tatiana Fassieux
Training & Education Specialist
California Health Advocates
Understanding Medicare’s Enrollment Periods
Medicare Advantage Marketing: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Medicare Advantage Marketing: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Medicare Advantage plans are allowed to market their products throughout the year and use various outlets such as television, radio, direct marketing by phone or mail to do so. They are required to follow specific guidelines set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ to protect consumers and prevent marketing misinformation and enrollment abuses. people from enrolling in plans that don’t meet their needs, or don’t provide t or don’t serve their area. Yet, misleading marketing and fraud happens.
This presentation will:
- Review what MA plans can and cannot do
- Share case examples, including cases where supplemental benefits are being falsely advertised, plans are marketing in areas they don’t even serve, and beneficiaries are tricked into enrolling in plans that don’t meet their needs
- Provide steps to take to protect yourself and others from marketing abuses
- Review the red flags to watch for and how to report suspected fraud
Biography
Tatiana Fassieux is a Training & Education Specialist for California Health Advocates (CHA), an organization dedicated to Medicare advocacy and education for Californians. She has served various terms as Board Chair and has been affiliated with this organization for over 25 years. She conducts many training sessions for California’s Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) volunteers and other organizations. HICAP is the state’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
Ms. Fassieux worked for Passages, a designated Area Agency on Aging, serving the counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Plumas and Tehama for over 25 years. Passages is a project of Chico State Enterprises. She held the position of Program Manager for 15 years, and then as their Outreach Coordinator. Currently she assists with counselor technical and education support.
Ms. Fassieux participates in various local, statewide, and national conferences and committees dealing with Medicare advocacy, benefits education, and enrollment. She is often asked to provide Medicare updates to multiple community groups and organizations serving seniors and people with disabilities. She also provides Medicare counseling and technical support for California’s Tribal nations. She is currently focusing on the impact of California’s Master Plan on Aging and the impact of Medi-Cal changes on individuals who have both Medicare & Medi-Cal.
Training & Education Specialist,
California Health Advocates
Jennifer Whittaker
Supervisory Special Agent,
Federal Bureau of Investigation
FBI’s Health Care Fraud Investigations
FBI’s Health Care Fraud Investigations
This presentation will be an introduction into the FBI, how they allocate resources to counter Health Care Fraud, emerging trends, and tips to prevent becoming a victim of Health Care Fraud.
Biography
Supervisory Special Agent Jennifer Whittaker has been an FBI Special Agent since 2010. After completing basic training at Quantico, she reported to the New York Field Office in New York City. There, SA Whittaker investigated public corruption allegations against local and state politicians, local law enforcement, and international companies. In 2015, SA Whittaker transferred to the Washington DC Field Office and focused on international corruption investigations. In 2021, SA Whittaker was promoted to become a SSA and served in headquarters supporting international investigations. In 2024, SSA Whittaker reported to the San Diego Field Office and leads their Health Care Fraud Squad.
Supervisory Special Agent,
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Chief Andrew Gulcher
Investigation Divisions
California Dept of Insurance
Producer Fraud Investigations and California Consumers
Producer Fraud Investigations and California Consumers
Producer fraud remains one of the most significant threats to consumer protection and the integrity of the insurance marketplace. This presentation will provide an in-depth look at how the California Department of Insurance investigates insurance producers engaged in fraudulent activity, including deceptive sales practices, policy misrepresentation, and the exploitation of vulnerable populations.
Chief Andrew Gulcher of the Investigation Division will share real-world case examples to illustrate how fraud schemes are uncovered and prosecuted, highlighting both common tactics and emerging trends. The session will also address the broader impact of producer fraud on consumers, insurers, and the public trust, while emphasizing the Department’s role in protecting Californians through enforcement and collaboration with prosecutors and law enforcement partners.
Attendees will gain insight into investigative strategies, the challenges of bringing complex cases forward, and the importance of consumer awareness and reporting in preventing financial harm. This session is designed for professionals who want to deepen their understanding of fraud detection and enhance their ability to protect clients, organizations, and the broader insurance marketplace.
Biography
Andrew Gulcher is Chief of the Investigation Division at the California Department of Insurance, where he oversees more than 80 investigators across seven regional offices and manages a $14 million budget. He directs statewide efforts to combat producer fraud, bail violations, and financial crimes against consumers, and has served as an expert witness in both state and federal courts. His work has helped shape consumer protection policy through legislative reforms, including bail regulations and licensing standards for fugitive recovery, and his testimony has contributed to published California appellate case law. Andrew also participates in working groups with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, addressing insurance fraud and improper marketing practices, reinforcing his commitment to strengthening consumer protections and advancing investigative standards.
In addition to his leadership role, Andrew serves on the board of the Anti-Fraud Alliance. He is also a Certified Economic Crime Forensic Examiner. He teaches criminal justice and investigative practices as an adjunct instructor at El Camino College, CA. He has also been a featured speaker at professional associations, including the California Robbery Investigators Association, and previously taught crisis intervention training for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, equipping peace officers with tools to respond to mental health crises and prevent suicide. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to protecting consumers, elevating investigative practices, and mentoring the next generation of professionals in law enforcement and regulatory fields.
Investigation Division
California Dept of Insurance
Catherina Isidro
Executive Director and SMP Statewide Director
Opening Remarks/Awards
Catherina Isidro has over 20 years of experience in the private and non-profit sectors, which have given her a keen understanding of the legislative process and association management. She has extensive knowledge in implementing various programs and services for associations. Through her many years of being a seasoned executive, this resulted in a gamut of expertise ranging from association management, strategic planning, fund development, contract negotiations, legislative and public affairs, organizational governance, marketing and communications, membership development, human resources, budget and finance, event planning, and management of a Political Action Committee.
In addition to her role of Executive Director for the California Health Advocates and SMP Director, she is also currently the Executive Director for the Forensic Mental Health Association of CA (FMHAC). Prior to that, she was the Deputy Executive Director for the California Independent Oil Marketers Association where she enhanced the internal organization infrastructure necessary for the growth of these associations.
Executive Director,
California Health Advocates (CHA);
Statewide Director,
Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
Bill Proulx
HICAP Program Manager
Santa Cruz County HICAP
Opening Remarks/Award
Bill Proulx has served as Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) Program Manager for PSA 13 since 2020, following a 15-year career with the YMCA. He holds a B.S. in Business from Capella University and is an accomplished Ironman and XTERRA World Championship triathlete. He also enjoys hiking, golfing and wine tasting.
CHA Board Chair;
Program Manager,
Santa Cruz County HICAP
Karen Joy Fletcher, MPH
Communications Director,
California Health Advocates; Certified Qigong Teacher
Good Morning Qigong
Good Morning Qigong
What’s a great way to start your day? One is to say “Yay”, and the other is to practice Qigong! Qigong is an ancient yet evolving Chinese system of breath, meditation and movement. It is comprised of simple, yet powerful exercises that cleanse, gather, circulate and store Qi – the beautiful and abundant life energy within us and all around us in Nature, in our Earth and Sky. Plus, Qigong is fun and feels fantastic! Join Karen and enjoy a refreshing, relaxing and nourishing practice that will uplift your spirit, energize your body, and get you ready for a day filled with learning, connection and joy.
Biography
Karen Joy Fletcher, MPH, is a longtime Qigong practitioner, teacher, and writer who has spent over 30 years studying and sharing Qigong and the art of nourishing life “Yang Sheng 養生”. She has trained extensively in China and Taiwan, speaks Mandarin Chinese, and has completed six internships with Master Chinese Medicine doctor Dr. Zhao Fuxue in Zhengzhou, China. A personal student of Qigong Grandmaster Xu Mingtang, she has also trained at the Shaolin Monastery, traveled with him worldwide sharing Qigong’s healing wisdom and is currently a certified Level 3 teacher in the Zhong Yuan Qigong lineage.
Karen has co-led Qigong & Wilderness retreats in Western China, has presented at numerous conferences, universities, and retreat centers including Omega Institute, Breitenbush Hot Springs, and Wilderness Awareness School, and was featured as one of 21 global Qigong experts at The Qigong Effect international summit in 2021. During the pandemic, Karen also founded an international Women’s Nourishing Qigong community, and offers ongoing classes and programs inspiring people to cultivate, nourish and live their good life, filled with health, joy, wisdom and an ever-growing, glowing, deep connection to Nature. She lives in Cascadia with her family, enjoying hiking, nature adventures and living a nourishing life.