Resources
California specific resource.
Health Care Consumer Assistance
Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) Help Center
Assistance with problems with health coverage and with health plan grievances and appeals
1-888-466-2219 (many languages)
1-877-688-9891 (TDD)
www.Healthhelp.ca.gov (many languages)
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 program to help people with low incomes get the health care they need
1-888-804-3536 (many languages)
1-877-735-2929 (TTY)
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)
Medi-Cal Managed Care Ombudsman
Assistance for people enrolling in or changing Medi-Cal managed care plans
1-888-452-8609 (many languages)
www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/MMCDOfficeoftheOmbudsman.aspx
Medi-Cal Mental Health Care Ombudsman
Help with Medi-Cal mental health care services
1-888-452-8609
1-800-896-4042 (many languages)
www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/MH/Pages/MH-Ombudsman.aspx (Spanish brochure available)
Finding Health Coverage
Covered California
Health coverage marketplace that provides coverage options and plan costs and enrollment in Covered California coverage
1-800-300-1506
1-888-889-4500 (TTY)
HealthCare.gov
Information and on-line search tool to help consumers find health plans and public programs in each state
1-800-318-2596
1-855-889-4325 (TTY)
https://finder.healthcare.gov/ (Spanish)
Health Coverage Guide
Information on health insurance for small businesses, including cost estimates, tax savings and legal issues
Finding Low-Cost or No-Cost Health Coverage and Care
Medi-Cal Access Program (MCAP)
Low-cost health program for low-income and middle-income pregnant women and their newborns
1-800-433-2611 (many languages)
http://mcap.dhcs.ca.gov/Home/default.aspx (Spanish)
California Children's Services (CCS)
A statewide program that provides health care services for children with certain disabilities and health conditions.
www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/ccs/Pages/default.aspx
Local Health Services/Offices
A list of local county health departments to call about no-cost and low-cost health care
1-916-558-1784 (many languages)
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/pages/localhealthservicesandoffices.aspx
County Medical Services Program (CMSP)
Health care for low-income adults in 35 California counties
1-916-649-2631
Health Consumer Alliance
Consumer assistance programs to help people with low incomes get the health care they need
1-888-804-3536 (many languages)
1-877-735-2929 (TTY)
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
www.pparx.org (Spanish)
Keep Your Health Coverage (Federal COBRA, Cal-COBRA, HIPAA)
These are a variety of ways to keep your health coverage if you lose your job-based coverage.
More information on Federal COBRA and Cal-COBRA
More information on HIPAA
California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) 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 (TDD)
www.healthhelp.ca.gov (many languages)
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)
www.insurance.ca.gov/ (many languages)
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
1-866-487-2365 (Spanish, Chinese)
1-877-889-5627 (TTY)
https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/health-plans/cobra (Spanish)
U.S. Department of Labor HIPAA
Information on your federal HIPAA rights to buy or keep health insurance
1-866-487-2365 (Spanish, Chinese)
1-877-889-5627 (TTY)
https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/health-plans/portability (Spanish)
Agencies that Oversee and License Providers
California Department of Public Health Licensing & Certification
Licenses and takes complaints on hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics
1-916-558-1784
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/CEH/Pages/CLPR.aspx (many languages)
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)
Board of Behavioral Sciences
Licenses and takes complaints on Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEP), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC) MFT Interns (IMF), Associate Clinical Social Workers (ASW) and Professional Clinical Counselor Interns (PCCI)
1-916-574-7830
1-916-574-8680 (TTY)
Board of Pharmacy
Licenses and takes complaints on pharmacists; information for consumers, including ways to save money on drugs
1-916-518-3100
www.pharmacy.ca.gov (many languages)
Board of Podiatric Medicine
Licenses and takes complaints on podiatrists; online license check and information for consumers
1-916-263-2647
Board of Psychology
Licenses and takes complaints on psychologists; consumer information and online license check
1-916-574-7720
1-866-503-3221 (Toll Free)
https://psychology.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
1-800-326-2297 (TDD)
Dental Board of California
Licenses and takes complaints on dentists; online license check
1-916-263-2300
1-877-729-7789 (Toll Free)
Physical Therapy Board of California
Licenses and takes complaints on physical therapists; online license check
1-916-561-8200
1-800-326-2297 (TDD)
http://www.ptbc.ca.gov/ (many languages)
Health Care Reform and News
HealthCare.gov
The national website on health care reform
1-800-318-2596
1-855-889-4325 (TTY)
https://finder.healthcare.gov/ (Spanish)
California Health Benefit Exchange
Beginning in 2014, the Exchange will help Californians and California small businesses shop for and purchase health coverage
The Center for Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight / Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Overview of new federal programs and regulations under health care reform.
Kaiser Family Foundation
Information on health care reform, nationally and in California
http://www.kff.org/health-reform/
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
1-510-832-1160
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)
Health Consumer Alliance
Assistance finding health care and information on low-cost health care, in many languages
1-888-804-3536 (many languages)
1-877-735-2929 (TTY)
“I Speak” Card
This card can be used to tell a provider for which language an interpreter is needed
1-800-952-5253
http://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/Forms-Brochures/Translated-Forms-and-Publications/I-Speak-Cards (many languages)
Latino Coalition for a Healthy California
Advocacy for better health care for Latinos in California
1-916-448-3234
Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum
Health care advocacy and support programs to improve the health of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
1-415-954-9988
Information for People with Disabilities
AT Network
Information on equipment and assistive technology
1-800-390-2699 (Spanish)
1-800-900-0706 (TTY)
http://www.abilitytools.org/ (Spanish)
California Foundation for Independent Living Centers
Resources for people with disabilities
1-916-325-1690
1-916-325-1695 (TTY)
California Health Advocates
Information on Medicare, Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, and financial aid for Medicare members
1-916-231-5110
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)
Department of Developmental Services Early Start Program
Providing services for children 0-3 with disabilities and their families
800-515-BABY (800-515-2229)
https://www.dds.ca.gov/services/early-start/
Disability Rights Advocates
View “Through the Maze, Edition II ©2008
A Guide to Health Care & Insurance Rights & Resources for Californians with Disabilities”
1-510-665-8644
Disability Rights California
Legal information and assistance for people with disabilities
1-800-776-5746 (many languages)
1-800-719-5798 (TTY)
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF)
A national law and policy center to help people with disabilities
1-510-644-2555
1-510-841-8645 (TTY)
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.
1-866-999-3752
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.
1-916-993-7781
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
1-800-952-5253
www.cdss.ca.gov/In-Home-Supportive-Services (many languages)
Mental Health Resources
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)
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.
1-916-654-1690
1-916-654-2054 (TTY)
www.dds.ca.gov (many languages)
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)
https://www.dds.ca.gov/rc/listings/
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.
1-916-263-1050
Disability Rights California
Information on the rights of people with disabilities including 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
https://www.dds.ca.gov/services/early-start/ (many languages)
Family Resource Center Network of California (FRCNCA)
Provides support for families of children with disabilities and special health care needs.
1-916-993-7781
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
Marin Autism Collaborative
A clearinghouse for information about autism and services.
1-415-472-2373
http://www.marinautism.org (Spanish)
Matrix
A resource center for parents of children with special needs.
1-800-578-2592
http://www.matrixparents.org (many languages)
Mental Health America
Information, advocacy, and referrals for adults and children.
1-800-969-6642
https://mhanational.org/ (many languages)
Mental Health America of California
Information and advocacy for people with mental health conditions.
1-916-557-1167
www.mhac.org (many languages)
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)
1-866-415-8051 (TTY toll-free)
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
Medi-Cal Access Program (MCAP)
Low-cost health program for low-income and middle-income pregnant women and their newborns
1-800-433-2611 (many languages)
http://mcap.dhcs.ca.gov/Home/default.aspx (Spanish)
KidsHealth
Information on children's health
www.kidshealth.org (Spanish)
Preventive Care
Agency for Health Research and Quality
Government agency with Personal Health Guides to routine care
1-310-427-1104
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
California Smoker's Helpline
Telephone and online help to stop smoking.
1-800-987-2908 (many languages)
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).
1-800-232-4636
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.
1-301-443-1124
https://www.drugabuse.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.
1-800-318-2596
1-855-889-4325 (TTY)
https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/preventive-care-benefits/ (Spanish)
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).
1-800-232-4636
1-888-232-6348 (TTY)
www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/index.html
Diseases and Treatments—General Information
Advance Directives
Information on Advance Health Care Directives
1-800-952-5225 (Spanish)
1-800-735-2929 (TTY)
https://www.oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/care (many languages)
American Chronic Pain Association
Information and resources for individuals living with chronic pain
1-800-533-3231
www.theacpa.org (many languages)
American College of Surgeons
Information on common operations and choosing a surgeon
1-800-621-4111
Clinical Trials
Information on clinical trials
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 (many languages)
Kids Health
Information on children's health
www.kidshealth.org (Spanish)
Mayo Clinic
Easy-to-understand information on health topics
www.mayoclinic.org (many languages)
Medline Plus
Information on many health topics
https://medlineplus.gov/ (Spanish)
National Guideline Clearinghouse
Government agency with care guidelines for many health conditions
NIH Health Topics A - Z
Information on many diseases and health-related conditions
https://www.nih.gov/health-information (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 (TDD)
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
American Lung Association
Information on lung diseases, asthma, and prevention.
1-800-586-4872
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, Korean and Vietnamese)
California AIDS Hotline
Information on HIV/AIDS services
1-800-367-2437 (Spanish)
1-888-225-2437 (TTY)
https://npin.cdc.gov/disease/hiv/ (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
1-800-860-8747
1-866-569-1162 (TTY)
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/ (Spanish)
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.
1-800-927-4357 (Consumer Hotline)
1-800-967-9331 (Licensing Hotline)
1-800-482-4833 (TTY)
California’s Health Benefit Exchange, Covered California
Health coverage marketplace that provides you with coverage options and plan costs.
(800) 300-1506
(888) 889-4500 (TTY)
www.coveredca.com (many languages)
California Office of the Patient Advocate
Information and resources to help you compare health plans including clinical ratings and Total Cost of Care.
www.opa.ca.gov (many languages)
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 (many languages)
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)
https://www.healthcareoptions.dhcs.ca.gov/ (many languages)
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.
1-800-318-2596
1-855-889-4325 (TTY)
www.healthcare.gov/get-coverage/ (Spanish)
