Note: Many phone numbers have people who speak a language other than English. In addition, websites are often translated or have pages in a different language for the consumer.
Health Care Consumer Assistance
California’s Consumer Assistance Program - Department of Managed Health Care Help Center
Assistance with finding health coverage and with health plan grievances and appeals
1-888-466-2219 (many languages)
1-877-688-9891 (TTY)
www.Healthhelp.ca.gov (Spanish, Chinese)
California Department of Insurance
Assistance with health insurance problems for non-managed care plans
1-800-927-4357 (many languages)
1-800-482-4833 (TTY)
www.insurance.ca.gov (Spanish)
Health Consumer Alliance
Consumer assistance programs to help people with low incomes get the health care they need
www.healthconsumer.org
HICAP (California Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program)
Information, counseling, and assistance for people who have or will soon have Medicare
1-800-434-0222 (many languages)
www.aging.ca.gov/hicap/
Medi-Cal Managed Care Ombudsman
Assistance for people in Medi-Cal managed care plans
1-888-452-8609 (many languages)
http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/MMCDOfficeoftheOmbudsman.aspx
Medi-Cal Mental Health Care Ombudsman
Help with Medi-Cal mental health care services?
1-800-896-4042 (many languages)
http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/MH/Pages/MH-Ombudsman.aspx (Spanish brochure available)
Finding Health Coverage
HealthCare.gov
Information and on-line search tool to help consumers find health plans and public programs in each state
http://finder.healthcare.gov/
Coverage for All
Help finding no-cost, low-cost and other health care coverage for individuals, families, and small businesses
www.coverageforall.org (Spanish)
Health Coverage Guide
Information on health insurance for small businesses, including cost estimates, tax savings and legal issues
www.healthcoverageguide.org
MRMIP (California Major Risk Medical Insurance Program)
Insurance program for people who have difficulty buying individual health insurance because they have serious health conditions
1-800-289-6574 (many languages)
1-800-735-2929 (TTY)
www.mrmib.ca.gov/MRMIB/MRMIP.shtml
My Health Resource (Californians for Patient Care)
Online guide connecting people to health care services and programs in their communities
1-888-828-0885
www.myhealthresource.org
Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP)
Following federal direction received on February 15, 2013, the California PCIP has suspended new enrollment for applications received after March 2, 2013.
1-877-428-5060 (many languages)
http://www.pcip.ca.gov/Home/default.aspx
Finding Low-Cost or No-Cost Health Coverage and Care
AIM Program (Access for Infants and Mothers)
Low-cost health program for low-income and middle-income pregnant women and their newborns
1-800-433-2611 (many languages)
www.aim.ca.gov (Spanish)
California Children's Services (CCS)
A statewide program that provides health care services for children with certain disabilities and health problems
www.dhs.ca.gov/pcfh/cms/ccs/
Coverage for All
Help finding no-cost, low-cost and other health care coverage for individuals, families, and small businesses
www.coverageforall.org (Spanish)
Co-Pay Relief
Financial assistance with prescription drug co-pays for patients with certain diseases and illnesses
1-866-512-3861 (Spanish)
www.copays.org
County Health Departments
A list of local county health departments to call about no-cost and low-cost health care services
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/services/Pages/LocalServices.aspx
County Medical Services Program (CMSP)
Health care for low-income adults in 34 California counties
www.cmspcounties.org
Health Consumer Alliance
Assistance finding health care and information on low-cost health care, in many languages
www.healthconsumer.org (many languages)
Healthy Families
State program with low-cost health, dental, and vision plans for children in low-income families
1-800-880-5305 (many languages)
www.healthyfamilies.ca.gov (Spanish)
Medi-Cal
Health care program for people who qualify because of low incomes or disabilities
www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/default.aspx
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Help for patients who do not have prescription drug coverage
1-888-477-2669
https://www.pparx.org (Spanish)
Su Familia
Information and referrals in Spanish to local health clinics
1-866-783-2645 (Spanish)
http://www.hispanichealth.org (Spanish)
Keeping Your Health Coverage (Federal COBRA, Cal-COBRA, HIPAA)
These are a variety of ways to keep your health coverage if you lose your job or your hours are reduced.
More information on Federal COBRA and Cal-COBRA
More information on HIPAA
California Department of Managed Health Care Help Center
Assistance for California managed care health plan members, with information on COBRA, Cal-COBRA or HIPAA
1-888-466-2219 (many languages)
1-877-688-9891 (TTY)
www.healthhelp.ca.gov (Spanish, Chinese)
California Department of Insurance
Assistance for California health insurance members, with information on COBRA or Cal-COBRA
1-800-927-4357 (many languages)
1-800-482-4833 (TTY)
http://www.insurance.ca.gov/ (Spanish)
U.S. Department of Labor COBRA
Information on the federal COBRA program to help you keep group health plan if you lose your job or your hours are cut
1-866-444-3272 (Spanish, Chinese)
1-877-889-5627
www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/cobra.htm (Spanish)
U.S. Department of Labor HIPAA
Information on your federal HIPAA rights to buy or keep health insurance
1-866-444-3272 (Spanish, Chinese)
1-877-889-5627 (TTY)
www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/portability.htm (Spanish)
Medi-Cal
Medi-Cal
Health care program for people who qualify because of low incomes, or disabilities
www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/default.aspx
Health Care Options
Help with enrolling in or leaving a Medi-Cal health plan
1-800-430-4263 (many languages)
1-800-430-7077 (TTY)
www.healthcareoptions.dhcs.ca.gov (Spanish)
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
Federal government agency with information on Medi-Cal (California's name for Medicaid)
1-877-267-2323
1-866-226-1819 (TTY)
http://cms.hhs.gov
Medi-Cal Managed Care Ombudsman
Get help if you have a problem you cannot solve with your Medi-Cal managed care health plan
1-888-452-8609 (many languages)
http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/MMCDOfficeoftheOmbudsman.aspx
Medi-Cal Mental Health Care Ombudsman
Help with Medi-Cal mental health care services
1-800-896-4042 (many languages)
http://www.dmh.ca.gov/services_and_programs/Quality_Oversight/Medi-Cal_Ombudsman.asp (Spanish brochure available)
Medi-Cal Fair Hearing
File an appeal if your Medi-Cal health plan denies you the services you need
1-800-952-5253 (Spanish)
http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/Medi-CalFairHearing.aspx
Aging/Medicare
California's HMO Guide for Seniors
Information on Medicare Advantage HMOs; order in English or Spanish online or by phone
1-800-466-8900 (Spanish, Chinese)
www.opa.ca.gov (Spanish, Chinese)
California Health Advocates< br />
Information on Medicare, Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, and financial aid for low-income seniors
www.cahealthadvocates.org (Spanish and other languages)
Family Caregiver Alliance
Information and help for family caregivers
1-800-445-8106 (Spanish)
www.caregiver.org (Spanish, Chinese)
HICAP (California Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program)
Free information, counseling, and advocacy for people who have or will soon have Medicare, as well as caregivers.
1-800-434-0222 (many languages)
www.aging.ca.gov/hicap/
HSAG (Health Services Advisory Group) - California's Quality Improvement Organization
Help for Medicare members with complaints about quality of care concern, delays in receiving care, or being sent home from the hospital to soon
1-800-841-1602 (discharge appeals)
1-866-800-8749 (complaints about quality of care)
1-800-881-5980 (TTY)
www.hsag.com
In-Home Support Services (IHSS)
Program to help low-income aged, blind, and disabled people remain safely in their own homes
http://www.cdss.ca.gov/agedblinddisabled/PG1296.htm
Medicare
The official Medicare website and phone number
1-800-MEDICARE (Spanish)
1-877-486-2048 (TTY)
www.medicare.gov (Spanish)
http://www.medicare.gov/multilanguage.aspx(many languages)
National Institute on Aging
Information for seniors about aging, staying healthy, and getting health care
1-800-222-2225 (Spanish)
1-800-222-4225 (TTY)
www.nia.nih.gov (Spanish)
National Senior Citizens Law Center
Advocacy for the independence and well-being of seniors with low incomes
www.nsclc.org
Senior Information and Referral
Information about local services for seniors, including health care, legal aid, housing, employment, home health care, and companionship
1-800-510-2020 (Spanish)
www.aging.ca.gov
Information on Health Care Quality
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Tools to help people make more informed decisions and get safer health care.
1-800-358-9295
www.ahrq.gov (Spanish)
California Office of the Patient Advocate
Report cards on the quality of California health plans; view online or order by phone.
1-866-466-8900
1-866-499-0858 (TTY)
www.opa.ca.gov (Spanish, Chinese)
DMHC Plan Surveys and Summary Reports
Reports on health plan surveys conducted by the DMHC to make sure that health plans meet quality and medical standards.
www.dmhc.ca.gov/library/reports/med_survey/med_default.aspx (Spanish, Chinese)
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
Information on health care standards
www.jcaho.org
National Committee for Quality Assurance
Information on quality health care and health plan standards.
www.ncqa.org
Agencies that Oversee and License Providers
California Department of Public Health Licensing & Certification
Licenses and takes complaints on hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics
1-916-552-8700
1-800-236-9747
www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/Pages/default.aspx
Medical Board of California
Licenses and takes complaints on medical doctors and certain other providers; online check of licenses and citations
1-800-633-2322
1-916-263-0935 (TTY)
www.medbd.ca.gov
Board of Behavioral Sciences
Licenses and takes complaints on Marriage and Family Therapists, Clinical Social Workers, Associate Clinical Social Workers, and Educational Psychologists; online license check
1-916-574-7830
www.bbs.ca.gov
Board of Pharmacy
Licenses and takes complaints on pharmacists; information for consumers, including ways to save money on drugs
1-916-574-7900
www.pharmacy.ca.gov (Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese)
Board of Podiatric Medicine
Licenses and takes complaints on podiatrists; online license check and information for consumers
1-916-263-2647
www.bpm.ca.gov/consgde (Spanish)
Board of Psychology
Licenses and takes complaints on psychologists; consumer information and online license check
1-916-263-2699
www.psychboard.ca.gov (Spanish)
Board of Registered Nursing
Licenses and takes complaints on registered nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and psychiatric/mental health nurses; online license check
1-916-322-3350
1-916-322-1700 (TTY)
www.rn.ca.gov
Dental Board of California
Licenses and takes complaints on dentists; online license check
1-916-263-2300
www.dbc.ca.gov
Physical Therapy Board of California
Licenses and takes complaints on physical therapists; online license check
1-800-832-2251
www.ptb.ca.gov
HealthCare.gov
The national website on health care reform
http://finder.healthcare.gov/
California Health Benefit Exchange
Beginning in 2014, the Exchange will help Californians and California small businesses shop for and purchase health coverage
www.HealthExchange.ca.gov
The Center for Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight / Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Overview of new federal programs and regulations under health care reform
http://cciio.cms.gov/
Kaiser Family Foundation
Information on health care reform, nationally and in California
http://healthreform.kff.org/
Cultural and Linguistic Advocacy
California Pan-Ethnic Health Network
Information and advocacy for health care access for people from all cultural and linguistic groups, and links to more information
www.cpehn.org
Deaf Counseling, Advocacy and Referral Agency
Lists the Coalition of Agencies serving the deaf and hard of hearing in California
1-510-343-6670
1-877-322-7288 (TTY)
www.dcara.org
Health Consumer Alliance
Assistance finding health care and information on low-cost health care, in many languages
www.healthconsumer.org (many languages)
“I Speak” Card
This card can be used to tell a provider for which language an interpreter is needed
http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/civilrights/PG584.htm
Latino Coalition for a Healthy California
Advocacy for better health care for Latinos in California
www.lchc.org
National Hispanic Prenatal Helpline
Information about pregnancy, birth, and child care
1-800-504-7081 (Spanish)
www.hispanichealth.org
Su Familia
Information and referrals in Spanish to local health clinics
1-866-783-2645 (Spanish)
www.hispanichealth.org (Spanish)
Information for People with Disabilities
AT Network
Information on equipment and assistive technology
1-800-390-2699 (Spanish)
1-800-900-0706 (TTY)
www.atnet.org (Spanish)
California Foundation for Independent Living Centers
Resources for people with disabilities
www.cfilc.org
California Health Advocates
Information on Medicare, Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, and financial aid for Medicare members
www.cahealthadvocates.org (Spanish and other languages)
Deaf Counseling, Advocacy and Referral Agency
Lists the Coalition of Agencies serving the deaf and hard of hearing in California
1-510-343-6670
1-877-322-7288 (TTY)
www.dcara.org
Disability Rights Advocates
View “Through the Maze, Edition II ©2008
A Guide to Health Care & Insurance Rights & Resources for Californians with Disabilities”
www.dralegal.org
Disability Rights California
Legal information and assistance for people with disabilities
1-800-776-5746 (many languages)
1-800-719-5798 (TTY)
www.disabilityrightsca.org
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF)
A national law and policy center to help people with disabilities
www.dredf.org
Disability Rights Legal Center
Legal aid and referrals for people with disabilities, including a Cancer Legal Resource Center, a Children's Benefits Access Guide, and other resources
www.disabilityrightslegalcenter.org
Family Resource Center Network of California (FRCNCA)
Find your local center, which provides support for families of children with disabilities and special health care needs.
(415) 282-7494
www.frcnca.org
Family Voices
Health care advocacy for children with disabilities
1-888-835-5669
www.familyvoices.org (Spanish)
In Home Support Services (IHSS)
Program to help low-income aged, blind, and disabled people remain safely in their own homes
http://www.cdss.ca.gov/agedblinddisabled/PG1296.htm
Mental Health Care
Autism Society of America
National organization dedicated to improving the lives of all affected by autism.
1-800-328-8476
www.autism-society.org (Spanish)
Autism Speaks
A national nonprofit advocacy group.
1-888-288-4762 (English)
1-888-772-9050 (Spanish)
www.autismspeaks.org
California Department of Developmental Services
California agency that provides services and support to people with developmental disabilities such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and related conditions.
www.dds.ca.gov
California Network of Mental Health Clients
A peer-run advocacy organization for mental health consumers
1-800-626-7447
www.californiaclients.org
California Regional Centers’ Directory
Provides list of twenty-one regional centers that individually coordinate services for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
1-916-654-1690
1-916-654-2054 (TTY)
http://www.dds.ca.gov/RC/RCList.cfm
Developmental Screening for California’s Kids (sponsored by First5 California and the California Statewide Screening Collaborative)
Provides early childhood developmental screening resources, information on the First5 Early Childhood Mental Health Project and county initiatives
www.first5ecmh.org
Disability Rights California
Information on the rights of people with mental health disabilities.
1-800-776-5746 (many languages)
1-800-719-5798 (TTY)
www.disabilityrightsca.org/ (Spanish)
Early Start
A state program for infants and toddlers who have or are at risk for developmental delay or disability.
1-800-515-2229
www.dds.ca.gov/earlystart (Spanish)
Family Resource Center Network of California (FRCNCA)
Provides support for families of children with disabilities and special health care needs.
(415) 282-7494
www.frcnca.org
First5 California
Provides programs and services designed to identify children with special needs and help young children grow up healthy and do well in school and in life.
1-916-263-1050
www.ccfc.ca.gov
Marin Autism Collaborative
A clearinghouse for information about autism and services.
http://marinautism.org (Spanish)
Matrix
A resource center for parents of children with special needs.
1-800-578-2592
http://www.matrixparents.org (Spanish)
Mental Health America
Information, advocacy, and referrals for adults and children.
1-800-969-6642 (Spanish)
1-800-433-5959 (TTY)
www.nmha.org
Mental Health America of California
Information and advocacy for people with mental health conditions.
www.mhac.org
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
An advocacy group for people with mental illness and their families.
1-800-950-6264 (Spanish)
www.nami.org (Spanish)
National Institute of Mental Health
Information and research on mental health treatments
1-866-615-6464 (Spanish)
www.nimh.nih.gov
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
Federal agency with information on legislation, prevention, workplace resources, and online search for mental health services.
1-877-726-4727
1-800-487-4889 (TTY)
www.samhsa.gov (Spanish)
Pregnancy Care
AIM Program
Low-cost health program for low-income and middle-income pregnant women and their newborns
1-800-433-2611 (many languages)
www.aim.ca.gov (Spanish)
KidsHealth
Information on children's health
www.kidshealth.org (Spanish)
National Hispanic Prenatal Helpline
Information about pregnancy, birth, and child care
1-800-504-7081 (Spanish)
www.hispanichealth.org (Spanish)
Preventive Care
Agency for Health Research and Quality
Government agency with Personal Health Guides to routine care
1-800-358-9295 (publications only)
www.ahrq.gov (Spanish)
California Dental Association
Information about oral health and an online search to find a dentist or a dental clinic that provides free or low-cost dental services
1-800-232-7645
www.cda.org
California Smoker's Helpline
Telephone and online help to stop smoking
1-800-662-8887 (many languages)
www.californiasmokershelpline.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/ National Immunization Hotline
Guide to vaccines for children and adults, and other information on prevention
1-800-232-4636 (Spanish)
1-888-232-6348 (TTY)
www.cdc.gov/vaccines (Spanish)
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Information for health professionals, parents, teachers, students, and young adults
www.nida.nih.gov (Spanish)
HealthCare.gov
Federal health care reform website, with lists of preventive care services that health plans must cover with no out-of-pocket cost to patients.
www.healthcare.gov/prevention/index.html
Kids Health
Information on children's health
www.kidshealth.org (Spanish)
Obesity and Overweight
Information on obesity and chart to check Body Mass Index (BMI)
www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/index.htm
Diseases and Treatments—General Information
Advance Directives
Information on Advance Health Care Directives
1-800-952-5225 (Spanish)
1-800-952-5548 (TTY)
http://caag.state.ca.us/consumers/general/adv_hc_dir.htm
American Chronic Pain Association
Information and resources for individuals living with chronic pain
1-800-533-3231
www.theacpa.org
American College of Surgeons
Information on common operations and choosing a surgeon
1-800-621-4111
www.facs.org
American Pain Foundation
Information and support for people with pain
1-888-615-7246
www.painfoundation.org
Clinical Trials
Information on clinical trials
www.clinicaltrials.gov
Food and Drug Administration
Information on medicines and durable medical equipment
1-888-463-6332
www.fda.gov (Spanish)
Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD)
Information about genetic conditions and rare diseases
1-888-205-2311
1-888-205-3223 (TTY)
www.rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD (Spanish)
Healthfinder
Easy-to-understand health information on many topics
www.healthfinder.gov (Spanish)
Kids Health
Information on children's health
www.kidshealth.org (Spanish)
Mayo Clinic
Easy-to-understand information on health topics
www.mayoclinic.org
Medline Plus
Information on many health topics
www.medlineplus.org (Spanish)
National Guideline Clearinghouse
Government agency with care guidelines for many health conditions
www.guideline.gov
NIH Health Topics A - Z
Information on many diseases and health-related conditions
www.health.nih.gov (Spanish)
Diseases and Treatments—Specific Information
Alzheimer's Association
Local services, support groups, 24-hour helpline, and information for caregivers
1-800-272-3900 (many languages)
1-866-403-3073 (TTY)
www.alz.org
American Diabetes Association
Information, programs, and services for people with diabetes
1-800-342-2383 (Spanish)
www.diabetes.org (Spanish)
American Heart Association
Information on heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and prevention
1-800-242-8721
www.heart.org
American Lung Association
Information on lung diseases, asthma, and prevention
1-800-242-8721
www.lung.org
Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases (NIAMS)
Information about arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases
1-877-226-4267 (Spanish)
1-301-565-2966 (TTY)
www.niams.nih.gov (Spanish, Chinese)
California AIDS Hotline
Information on HIV/AIDS services
1-800-367-2437 (Spanish)
1-888-225-2437 (TTY)
www.aidshotline.org (Spanish)
Cancer Information
Government agency with information on cancer treatments
1-800-422-6237 (Spanish)
www.cancer.gov (Spanish)
Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Disorders
Health information, research, clinical trials, and personal stories
www.niddk.nih.gov (Spanish)
Federal Hemophilia Treatment Centers
Information and care for people with Hemophilia
(310) 794-6264
www.hemophiliaregion9.org
Premium Rate Review
California Department of Insurance (CDI) Rate Filings
Search rate filings reviewed by the CDI. The CDI licenses and regulates some non-HMO health insurance in California.
www.interactive.web.insurance.ca.gov/apex/f?p=102:2:0::NO
Covered California
Information about California’s new marketplace where individuals and small businesses can compare and choose health coverage options. Covered California will help you determine if you are eligible for financial assistance programs.
www.coveredca.com (many languages)
California Office of the Patient Advocate
Information and resources on many different health care topics including consumer rights and responsibilities and finding health care.
1-866-466-8900 (many languages)
1-866-499-0858 (TTY)
www.opa.ca.gov
Medi-Cal
Health care program for people who qualify because of low incomes or disabilities.
www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/default.aspx
Health Care Options
Help with enrolling in or leaving a Medi-Cal health plan.
1-800-430-4263 (many languages)
1-800-430-7077 (TTY)
www.healthcareoptions.dhcs.ca.gov (Spanish)
Co-Pay Relief
Financial assistance with prescription drug co-pays for patients with certain diseases and illnesses.
1-866-512-3861 (Spanish)
www.copays.org
HealthCare.gov
Information and online search tools to help individuals and small businesses find information about coverage options, health insurance company premium rates, and costs of coverage in each state.
www.healthcare.gov/using-insurance/index.html
