Know Your Rights: Consumer Health Coverage Info

The HCA is a network of ten consumer assistance programs operated by community-based legal services organizations across the state of California. The HCA offers free assistance online, over-the-phone or in-person at independent, community-based offices throughout the state, helping people who are struggling to get or maintain health coverage and resolve problems with their health plans. We also provide statewide policy advocacy to resolve systemic health care issues impacting Californians. Translations: Spanish

Medi-Cal covers four housing-related Community Supports for eligible individuals who are enrolled in a managed care plan. All plans currently offer all of these services. Read more about these services in this fact sheet from National Health Law Program.

Download the HCA FPL Chart 2026

The Health Consumer Alliance Quality of Care Chart provides valuable information on healthcare providers and facilities, helping consumers make informed decisions about their care. Find out how to use this resource effectively. Download it here.

NHeLP & ACCESS Reproductive Justice present a comprehensive fact guide on California Abortion Coverage in Medi-Cal and Private Insurance. This FAQ provides information on abortion coverage in the state, including the scope of coverage, cost-sharing, procedural requirements, and resources for assistance. (Jun. 2023)

The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) and Western Center on Law & Poverty (WCLP) provided a training on the Medi-Cal to Covered California auto-enrollment process via SB260. Access the PowerPoint presentation slides here. Access the fact sheet on auto-enrollments here. Click here for more information on SB260.

Use this link to access more information about SB 260, which authorizes Covered California to automatically enroll individuals in a qualified health plan once they lose Medi-Cal coverage and become eligible for advanced premium tax credits (APTCs).

A brief fact sheet with information about the new state tax penalty for those without coverage.  Learn about the new tax penalty, including how to estimate the potential cost and exceptions.

Federal and state law and the Constitution ensure that enrollees in publicly-funded health care plans receive notice, grievance and appeal rights when they are denied access to medical services. Enrollees in Covered California plans have the right to a notice when their plan denies access to a service and have several avenues to contest the plan’s decision through a grievance or appeal. Frequently, however, enrollees fail to receive the required notice, get an inadequate notice, or do not understand their right to appeal the plan’s decision. This fact sheet will describe the legal protections available to consumers in California and how to enforce these rights.

Use this link to access the reference guide for consumers seeking to raise concerns about the quality of their care whether the problem is caused by a provider, plan or facility. Translation: Under revision.

Western Center’s Getting and Keeping Health Care Coverage for Low-Income Californians: A Guide for Advocates provides California advocates with the relevant statutes, regulations, and guidance needed to help their clients access health care coverage.

How to enroll in a Covered CA health plan outside of the open enrollment period.

Managed Care in CA #5: Covered California members have the right to a notice when their plan denies access to a service, and there are many ways to challenge the plan’s decision through a grievance or appeal.

Managed Care in California #2:  Network Adequacy in Covered CA

How to continue receiving services, or continue seeing providers, from another plan when you enroll in a new Covered CA plan.