Know Your Rights: Consumer Health Coverage Info

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Consumer Brochure
What is the Health Consumer Alliance (HCA)?
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.

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Publication
More Patient Protections for Hospital Billing in 2022 (WCLP)
Our Health Care Practice Tip this month details these changes and more. One common unlawful provision found in many hospitals’ fair pricing policies is a specific time period to apply, often set at 150 days. These deadlines violate the Hospital Fair Pricing Act, which allows patients to apply for charity care or discounted payments at any time, without time limit.  Meanwhile, hospitals may still commence collection activity after the statutory time period has passed. The Health Care Practice Tip explains this issue.
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Publication
Durable Medical Equipment – The Basics for California Advocates
This resource from Justice In Aging provides an overview of durable medical equipment (DME) coverage in California, including common eligibility requirements, authorization rules, and advocacy strategies. Learn how Medi-Cal and other health coverage programs address medical equipment needs and how advocates can help consumers access medically necessary devices and supplies.
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Web Page
Protect Medicaid Funding Series (2024)
Medicaid helps people live healthier and more economically secure lives. It increases the diagnosis and early treatment of chronic conditions, enhances educational achievement and future earnings for covered children, reduces health care inequities, and provides comprehensive, high-quality, and cost-effective care. In an updated series of fact sheets, NHeLP outlines the importance of Medicaid related to various populations groups and services Medicaid covers. In particular, the fact sheets focus on how funding caps in particular would impact Medicaid. The data from the “Medicaid Fast Facts” document and information from the 14 fact sheets emphasize the vital nature Medicaid plays in ensuring the health of those enrolled as well as their communities and states. A companion blog to this series can be found here.
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Web Page
Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) State Medicaid Agency Contract Toolkit
Justice in Aging’s new resource, Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) State Medicaid Agency Contract Toolkit, provides advocates and State Medicaid Agency policymakers with principles and corresponding template language to develop SMACs that are responsive to the needs of the dually eligible populations that they serve. Stakeholders are encouraged to use this tool to advance their priorities, utilizing and tailoring the components that are most appropriate for their state’s integrated environments.
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Fact Sheet Web Page
CA State D-SNP Fact Sheet 2024
As part of Justice in Aging's recently launched project to build capacity and educate advocates about dual populations in Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans or D-SNPs, this fact sheet provides an overview of California's D-SNP landscape, including the number and characteristics of people who are dually eligible in the state. To review other state's D-SNP profiles, please visit Justice in Aging's D-SNP Data Landscape page . The Health Consumer Alliance (HCA) services the Medicare Medi-Cal Ombudsman Program (MMOP) - which provides support to dual eligible members of Medi-Medi plans, DSNPs, and PACE programs, helping these consumers to overcome barriers to accessing needed health care benefits and services.
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Fact Sheet
May is Mental Health Awareness Month (2024)
Mental Health Awareness Month is an important initiative that helps people understand how mental illness affects their lives. By promoting recognition, education, and open conversations, this month plays a crucial role in reducing the stigma associated with mental health conditions and creating a supportive environment for those in need. Make sure to use these mental health resources to fully understand your rights and access the support available to you.  
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Fact Sheet
DHCS Cultural Competency and Gender Affirming Care postcard
DHCS partnered with HCA to create a content-rich postcard that provides information and resources to support plan, provider, and stakeholder efforts to serve the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community and provide gender-affirming care. The postcard serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to improve the quality of care provided to this marginalized community and to ensure that they receive the best possible healthcare services.
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Fact Sheet
NHeLP’s Protect Medicaid Funding Series
In an updated series of fact sheets called Protect Medicaid Funding, NHeLP provides succinct analysis of the policy proposals that if enacted would jeopardize the health and financial security of the tens of millions of low-income individuals who depend on the Medicaid guarantee every year.
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