Fact Sheets
Websites & Other Resources
California Department of Managed Health Care
1-888-HMO-2219
Complaints about managed care; information on health plans, HMO report cards, and health care laws and regulations.
California Medicare News
Variety of current articles on Medicare-related topics, including some on Medicare Advantage plans.
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
1-800-434-0222
Free counseling about Medicare, Medigap policies, Medicare Advantage plans, filing an appeal and long-term care insurance.
Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG)
California's Quality Improvement Organization (QIO), which provides:
- California Medicare Appeals Helpline: 1-800-841-1602. Helps beneficiaries appeal discharge from a hospital, skilled nursing facility, home health agency or comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility.
- California Medicare Beneficiary Complaints Helpline: 1-866-800-8749. Files complaints regarding quality of Medicare-covered services.
Medicare.gov – The Official U.S. Government Site for People with Medicare
1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227)
Information on Medicare, Medigap policies, Medicare Advantage plan options, prescription drug assistance programs, nursing homes and home health care, and other Medicare-related issues.
Office of the Patient Advocate
1-866-HMO-8900
Information on the rights and benefits of Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) members in California; information and assistance in filing consumer complaints; access to an HMO Help hotline in multiple languages; consumer publications such as HMO report cards.