Health Administration Responsibility Project
Consumer Resources


Free help for patients


Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
The agency that administers Medicare and Medicaid
Medicare Hotline: (800) 638-6833
Info on HIPAA
Denial of Emergency Room Treatment -
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
(415) 744-3501
Hospitals Cited
U.S. Dept. of Labor
Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration
Advice and Complaints about ERISA plans
(866) 275-7922
Field Offices
Center for Health Dispute Resolution
Issues Binding decisions in Medicare HMO disputes
Contracts with California's DMHC
Also for AZ, CT, RI, and some private HMOs
1 Fishers Rd., 2d Floor, Pittsford, NY 14534
(716) 586-1770, fax: (716) 586-2153
www.healthappeal.com
info@healthappeal.com
Center for Health Care Rights
Legal support for Medicare and HMO beneficiaries
(213) 383-4519
520 S. Lafayette Park Place, Suite 214
Los Angeles, CA 90057
California Dept. of Managed Health Care
For problems with HMOs, After HMO Grievance procedure has been exhausted
HMO Help Center
980 Ninth St., Suite 500
Sacramento, CA 95814-2725
(888) HMO-2219 (888-466-2219)
TDD: (877) 688-9891
Fax: (916) 229-0465
helpline@dmhc.ca.gov
www.hmohelp.ca.gov
Independent Medical Reviews
Calif. Dept. of Health Services Ombudsman
Support for MediCal HMO beneficiaries
(888) 452-8609
California Dept. of Insurance
For problems with non-HMO Insurance companies
(800) 927-HELP
California Dept. of Aging
(800) 510-2020 for Referral to local Long-term care Ombudsman
(916) 324-3968 for State Long Term Care Ombudsman, Beth Mann
Nursing Home Ombudsmen, Nationwide
Health Consumer Alliance (Calif.)
Health Care Coach (Calif.)
Health Rights Hotline
Only for Sacramento, Yolo, Placer & Eldorado counties
in California.
Toll free: (888) 354-4474; Local: (916) 551-2100
Medicare Rights Center (New York)
(212) 869-3850, Fax (212)869-3532.
Hours: Monday thru Thursday 10-- 2.
Cancer Legal Resource Center
Advice and legal referral for cancer patients
919 S. Albany St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
phone: (866) THE-CLRC (866-843-2572)
drlc@lls.edu
California Medical Review, Inc. (CMRI)
a private, federally-funded non-profit organization
offers assistance to Medicare beneficiaries
re HMOs, Nursing Homes, etc.
Helpline: (800) 841-1602
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
A program of the California Department of Aging
helps Medicare beneficiaries obtain Medicare, Medigap, long-term care and other related health insurance services.
Los Angeles County: (800) 824-0780; (213) 383-4579
Other Counties: (800) 434-0222
Just Health
A Volunteer organization
provides assistance to consumers having problems with the health care system

Political Activism


Consumers for Quality Care
The Ralph Nader/Harvey Rosenfield/Jamie Court group pushing for HMO reform, among other projects in California.
(310) 392-0522
consumerwatchdog.org/healthcare
Public Justice
National, public interest law firm offers news, legal briefs, and a free online database for public interest advocates.
www.tlpj.org
National Center for Quality Assurance, Washington DC
An Industry group which accredits HMOs, for what it's worth.
(202) 955-3500
Reports are available online from
Pacific Business Group on Health
Consumers Union
Clearinghouse of Managed Care Problems
(415) 431-6747 x 116, Ele Hamburger
California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform
Legal Support for Nursing Home Residents
Hot Line (800) 474-1116
Web Site: www.canhr.org
Email: CANHRmail@canhr.org

Most of this site is under construction. We welcome all suggestions and comments, whether substantive or technical.
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