Program Update!! All eligible Californians 50 years of age or older can now get free full-scope Medi-Cal regardless of immigration status. See our new Health4All Older Adult flyer for details. Medi-Cal is not a public charge benefit. (See here for more info.)
The Health Consumer Alliance (HCA) offers free over-the-phone or in-person assistance to help people struggling to get or maintain health coverage and resolve problems with their health plans.
Medical Debt - Do you have a medical bill that you cannot afford? We may be able to help you reduce your bills from hospitals, dentists, ambulance transportation, doctor groups, and other types of health care services. Call us for free help.
Important!! - Has your contact information changed in the past two years? Are you enrolled in Medi-Cal?
Update your contact information with your local County office today! Give your county office your updated contact information so you can keep your Medi-Cal. You can find your local county office by visiting dhcs.ca.gov/COL or calling the Medi-Cal Member Helpline at (800) 541-5555 or our consumer hotline at 888 804 3536.
About the HCA
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NEWS
Keep Your Coverage After the COVID Emergency
The Health Consumer Alliance can help you access health care after the COVID-19 emergency ends in 2023. Learn your rights to keep your coverage!
Anthem Blue Cross fined by state of California
California fines Anthem Blue Cross for illegally denying gender-affirming care.
California has fined Anthem Blue Cross of
Durable Medical Equipment: The Basics for California Advocates
Click here to access the Durable Medical Equipment: The Basics for California Advocates guide, which
Black Pregnancy Health Quality of Care Fact Sheet
Our Black Pregnancy Health Quality of Care Fact Sheet provides important information and resources to support the health and well-being of Black pregnant individuals.
County of Santa Clara Charity Care Settlement
Starting August 14, 2023, about 43,000 former patients of Santa Clara Valley Medical Center have a limited time to apply for refunds of hospital bills they overpaid. The application deadline is 65 days from the date of the County’s mailing of a letter to the patient notifying them of their past bills.
[The advocate] was a lifesaver who went above and beyond late into the evening and on weekends for a very absurd battle … over the course of several months.
Consumer who was assisted in obtaining coverage with Covered California
Advocacy Notes
Featuring a recent example of HCA Advocates’ compelling work throughout the state.
A transgender woman that faced barriers to obtaining needed health services contacted HCA’s partner in Los Angeles, the Health Consumer Center of Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles (NLSLA). The consumer’s health plan had denied her request for medically necessary gender affirming care, specifically hair removal via electrolysis. The health plan denied the request determining that hair removal was not medically necessary. The HCA advocates at NLSLA filed a request for Independent Medical Review (IMR) with the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) and supported the medical necessity of the requested services with records from her treating providers. NLSLA’s advocates also submitted a brief demonstrating that the hair removal sought was in fact medically necessary to treat the consumer’s gender dysphoria. DMHC agreed and reversed the health plan’s decision requiring the plan to approve the requested hair removal. The consumer obtained the needed service and expressed great appreciation to the NLSLA advocates that helped her.
This case is one example of the great work HCA partners across the state are providing to consumers facing barriers to accessing needed gender affirming care.
