Notice of Information Provided and Disclaimer

HEALTHCARE INSURANCE INFORMATION, HEALTH INSURANCE CONSUMER RIGHTS, AND UNINSURED PATIENT INFORMATION WITH EMPHASIS ON CALIFORNIA AS WELL AS U.S. AGENCIES

Notice: You are on the Alamar Healthcare, Inc. Self-Help Resources page. This page contains an interactive list of local, state and federal resources.

Once you click on any of these listings you will be leaving the Alamar Healthcare, Inc. website in order to visit a collection of third-party websites. We have provided a list of these resources and links for your convenience, but please note that Alamar Healthcare, Inc. does not monitor content on other websites and does not endorse and is not responsible for the third-party website content, or its guarantees, privacy policy, security, or products and services that are offered or expressed by third parties and their websites. Resources on these websites are free at the time of entry, but visitors should verify that they are still free before committing to any information or services.

California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) Most Informative website for Californians on Health Care Coverage--great tools and resources and Consumer Complaints Hotline Mailing Address: Department of Managed Health Care California Help Center 980 9th Street, Suite 500 Sacramento, CA 95814-2725

Telephone 1-888-466-2219 (multi-language) FAX: 916-255-5241

TDD: 1-877-688-9891 https://www.dmhc.ca.gov

 

Foundation For Health Coverage Information Simple public and private health insurance eligibility information in order to help more people access coverage, including the uninsured and the under-insured from this non-profit public advocacy and education site. https://www.healthcare.gov

California Department of Insurance (CDI) Information on health insurance plans in California (CDI licenses and regulates some non-HMO health and disability insurance and most Medigap plans.) 1-800-927-4357 (many languages) 1-800-482-4833 (TTY) https://www.insurance.ca.gov (Spanish)

Covered California Insurance Exchange (Obamacare for California) Subsidized healthcare insurance for qualified Californians.Note: Monthly premiums may be low and subsidized, but first-dollar coverage annual deductible may have as high as a $5000 deductible for an individual. Preventive Services such as an annual physical exam and disease screening tests may have no deductible.

Compare different carriers and plans carefully. 1-800-300-1506 or go to website below for online chat  https://www.coveredca.com

Internal Revenue Service Form 969, for information on Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts 1-888-829-1040 (many languages) 1-829-4059 (TTY) https://www.irs.gov (Spanish)

MRMIP (California Major Risk Medical Insurance Program) California's insurance program for people with serious health problems who have difficulty buying individual health insurance because of their medical history 1-800-289-6574 (many languages) 1-800-735-2929 (TTY) https://www.mrmib.ca.gov

Possibly the most important website on this self-help list: National Association of Health Underwriters Links to the "Men In Black" MIB Healthcare Records Database that includes most of your lifetime personal health claim history which is made available to health, auto, life, etc. insurers. Your information on the NAHU database be reviewed and corrected for APPROXIMATELY $8.00 per year. Consumer Information (202) 552-5060 email for more information to info@nahu.org

California Children's Services (CCS) A statewide program that treats children with Certain disabilities and health problems. https://www.dhs.ca.gov/pcfh/cms/ccs

County Medical Services Program (CMSP) Health care for low-income adults in 34 California counties https://www.cmspcounties.org

Healthy Families State program with low-cost Health and dental insurance for children in low-income families 1-800-880-5305 (many languages) https://www.healthyfamilies.ca.gov (Spanish)

Medi-Cal State and federal program with health care for people who qualify because of low or no incomes and/or costly disabilities 1-800-541-5555 (Spanish) 1-916-636-1980 (many languages) 1-866-784-2595 (TTY). https://www.medi-cal.ca.gov

Medi-Cal Fair Hearing. File an appeal if your health plan denies you the services you need 1-800-952-5253 (Spanish)  https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/Medi-CalFairHearing.aspx

Medi-Cal Mental Health Care Ombudsman Help with Medical mental health care services 1-800-896-4042 (many languages)1-888-452-8609 (many languages) https://www.dhcs.ca.gov

CATEGORY: Online Libraries Describing Medical Conditions and Treatment

Veteran  Administration Health Library. https://www.veteranshealthlibrary.org

Mayo Clinic Library Often considered America’s for most healthcare system online library https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/index

WebMD Library.  https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/common-topics

Nat’l Library of Medicine (Medline). www.medlineplus.gov/healthtopics.html

CATEGORY: Medications At Low-Cost or No Cost

GoodRx  A private, independent, third party company website for non-insurance based medication discounts.  Alamar healthcare has not contractual or financial relationship with Goodrx, Goodrx.com, or its affiliates nor does it endorse or recommend the Goodrx company or its affiliates. https://www.goodrx.com/discount-card

CATEGORY: Keeping Your Health Insurance (Federal COBRA, Cal-COBRA, HIPAA)

These are laws that allow you to keep your health insurance if you lose your job or your hours are reduced. U.S. Department of Labor COBRA Information on the Federal COBRA program to help you keep group health insurance if you lose your job or your hours are cut 1-866-444-3272 (Spanish, Chinese) 1-877-889-5627 https://www.dmhc.ca.gov/HealthCareinCalifornia/TypesofPlans/KeepYourHealthCoverage(COBRA).aspx

California Office of the Patient Advocate Information for Cal-COBRA free advocacy, including employees of small businesses. An agency of last resort.  https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/health-plans/cobra  (Spanish)

CATEGORY: Disabilities

Californians for Disability Rights Member organization representing people with disabilities (Click on "Chapters" to see resources in your area.) https://www.disabilityrights-cdr.org

Family Voices Health care advocacy for children with disabilities 1-888-835-5669 https://www.familyvoices.org (Spanish) 1-866-226-1819 (TTY)

CATEGORY: Aging/Medicare

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore MD 21244 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (many languages) https://www.medicare.gov/default.asp

HICAP (California Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program) Free information, counseling, and advocacy for people who have or will soon have Medicare 1-800-434-0222 (many languages) www.cahealthadvocates.org

California's HMO Guide for Seniors Information on HMOs for Medicare members1-800-466-8900 (Spanish, Chinese) 1-866-499-0858 (TDD) https://www.insurance.ca.gov/0150-seniors/0300healthplans/

Alamar Healthcare, Inc. Private Internal Medicine/Geriatrics Practice in Camarillo, California. Maintains self-help links including most articles and forms provided in this guide. Also includes articles on specific diseases and treatments reported from government and university websites. If you are not currently on the Alamar Healthcare website, go to https://www.alamarhealth.com/

CATEGORY: Mental Health

California Department of Developmental Services California agency that provides services and support to people. https://www.dds.cahwnet.gov

California Department of Mental Health California's public mental health system with services and information available to adults and children.

1-800-896-4042 1-800-896-2512 (TTY) https://www.dmh.ca.gov

 

California Office of Patients' Rights Advocacy for patients hospitalized with mental illness 1-916-575-1610  https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/what-we-do

California Office of Privacy Protection A Consumer Guide to Health Information Privacy in California. 1-866-785-9663 916-323-7299 (Fax)   https://www.privacy.ca.gov

Center for Mental Health Services Provides information about mental health.

1-800-789-2647  https://www.samhsa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/offices-centers/cmhs

 

Early Start A state program for infants and toddlers who have or are at risk for developmental delay or disability. 1-800-515-BABY https://www.dds.ca.gov/earlystart

Medical Mental Heath Care Ombudsman Information and help with Medi-Cal mental health care services, advocacy agency of last resort 1-800-896-4042 (Spanish) 1-800-896-2512 (TTY) https://www.dmh.cahwnet.gov (Spanish)

CATEGORY: Diseases and Treatments

General Information Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Information on immunizations, preventing diseases, health disasters, and other issues 1-800-232-4636 (Spanish) 1-888-232-6548 (TTY) https://www.cdc.gov (Spanish)

Clinical Trials Information on experimental clinical trials of medical treatments, procedures, and medication trials https://www.clinicaltrials.gov

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations Information on health care standards; accepts reports of hospital abuse or substandard hospital conditions https://www.jcaho.org

Mayo Clinic Health Oasis Easy-to-understand information on health topics https://www.mayoclinic.org

Medline Plus Information on many health, top librarian choice for disease and treatment research and searches https://www.medlineplus.org (Spanish)

National Hispanic Prenatal Helpline Informaciónsobre  el embarazo, parto, y el cuidado de los infants. Information about pregnancy, birth, and child care 1-800-504-7081 (Spanish) https://www.hispanichealth.org (Spanish)

National Immunization Hotline A guide to vaccines for children and adults 1-800-232-2522 (Spanish) 1-888-232-6348 (TTY) https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines (Spanish)

National Institute of Health Government agency with information on many health issues, including new treatments for diseases. https://www.nih.gov

National Library of Medicine Prescription drug information; directories of physicians, hospitals, and other medical providers https://www.medlineplus.gov (Spanish)

Patient Advocate Foundation Patient assistance programs which ensure access to health care services, maintenance of employment and preservation of financial stability www.patientadvocate.org 1-800-532-5274 (Spanish)

CATEGORY: General References

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) https://www.medbd.ca.gov

California Immigrant Welfare Collaborative Health, benefits and rights information for Immigrants California Pan-Ethnic Health Network Advocacy 1-916-448-6762 (Spanish)  https://www.advancingjustice-la.org

California Pan-Ethnic Health Network Advocacy for health care for people from all cultural and linguistic groups.  https://cpehn.org/blog/tags/advocacy

Su Familia Information and referrals in Spanish to local health clinics 1-866-783-2645 (Spanish) https://www.hispanichealth.org (Spanish)

California Department of Insurance (CDI) Information on health insurance plans in California (CDI licenses and regulates some non-HMO health and disability insurance and most Medigap plans.) 1-800-927-4357 (many languages) 1-800-482-4833 (TTY) www.insurance.ca.gov (Spanish)

Covered California Insurance Exchange

(Obamacare for California) Subsidized healthcare insurance for qualified Californians. Note: Monthly premiums may be low and subsidized, but first-dollar coverage annual deductiblemay have as high as a $5000 deductible for an individual. Preventive Services such as an annual physical exam and disease screening tests may have no deductible.Compare different carriers and plans carefully. 1-800-300-1506 or go to website below for online chat  https://www.coveredca.com/

Internal Revenue Service Form 969, for information on Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts 1-888-829-1040 (many languages) 1-829-4059 (TTY) www.irs.gov (Spanish)

MRMIP (California Major Risk Medical Insurance Program)  How to appeal  healthcare plan denials and appeals.  California's insurance program for people with serious health problems who have difficulty buying individual health insurance because of their medical history 1-800-289-6574 (many languages) 1-800-735-2929 (TTY) www.mrmib.ca.gov

Possibly the most important website on this self-help list: National Association of Health Underwriters Links to the "Men In Black" MIB Healthcare Records Database that includes most of your lifetime personal health claim history which is made available to health, auto, life, etc. insurers. Your information on the NAHU database be reviewed and corrected for APPROXIMATELY $8.00 per year.

Consumer Information (202) 552-5060    The process of accessing your historical health care records from NAHU may be a challenge, but you are urged to see your historical healthcare record, which like your credit reports can lead to serious consequences regarding your eligibility and costs for insurance and other consumer products. email for more information to info@nahu.org

California Children's Services (CCS) A statewide program that treats children with Certain disabilities and health problems https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/ccs/Pages/ProgramOverview.aspx

County Medical Services Program (CMSP) Health care for low-income adults in 34 California counties   https://www.cmspcounties.org

Healthy Families State program with low-cost health and dental insurance for children in low-income families 1-800-880-5305 (many languages) www.healthyfamilies.ca.gov (Spanish)

Medi-Cal State and federal program with health care for people who qualify because of low or no incomes and/or costly disabilities 1-800-541-5555 (Spanish) 1-916-636-1980 (many languages) 1-866-784-2595 (TTY) https://www.medi-cal.ca.gov

Medi-Cal Fair Hearing File an appeal if your health plan denies you the services you need 1-800-952-5253 (Spanish)

Medi-Cal Managed Care Ombudsman Help if you have a problem you cannot solve with your health plan Medi-Cal Managed Care Ombudsman Help  1-888-452-8609 (many languages)  https://cpehn.org/blog/tags/advocacy

CATEGORY: Keeping Your Health Insurance (Federal COBRA, Cal-COBRA, HIPAA)

These are laws that allow you to keep your health insurance if you lose your job or your hours are reduced.

U.S. Department of Labor COBRA Information on the Federal COBRA program to help you keep group health insurance if you lose your job or your hours are cut 1-866-444-3272 (Spanish, Chinese) 1-877-889-5627 https://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/healthplans/cobra.htm (Spanish)

U.S. Department of Labor HIPAA Information on your Federal HIPAA rights to buy or keep health insurance 1-866-444-3272 (Spanish, Chinese) 1-877-889-5627 (TTY) https://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/healthplans/portability.htm (Spanish)