Health insurance is complex and confusing. Consumers attempting to navigate the insurance market often need straightforward, unbiased guidance. This page offers resources to help consumers compare health coverage options, as well as resources for consumer advocacy and counseling, for assessing the impact of health care reform, and for comparing the quality of health care providers.

As the economic doldrums persist, many Californians are out of work and must make tough choices about health insurance. CHCF published a fact sheet to provide answers and resources for those faced with a recent loss of benefits.

Health Insurance
Advocacy & Counseling
Health Care Reform
Shopping for Medical Providers

Health Insurance

Agency & Website	Provides Help With	Phone Number
Access for Infants and Mothers (AIM)	The AIM program provides health coverage to pregnant women with limited income and their newborns and infants. Services include prenatal visits, hospital delivery, and full health services to children through two years of age.	800.433.2611
California Children's Services (CCS)	The CCS program provides funding for medical care for low-income families with children who have serious medical problems. These include acute injury and illness, genetic diseases, chronic conditions or physical disabilities, congenital disorders, and major injuries due to violence or accidents.	916.327.1400
California High-Risk Insurance Pool	Californians interested in applying for the new temporary federal high-risk pool can send an email with their name, address, phone number, and email address to the state's Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board. Those on the list will be notified as soon as applications become available.	FHRP@mrmib.ca.gov 916.324.4695
Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP)	CHDP is a preventive program that delivers periodic health assessments and services to low-income children and youth in California. It provides care coordination to assist families with medical appointment scheduling, transportation, and access to diagnostic and treatment services.	NA
Healthy Families	Healthy Families is low-cost insurance for children and teens. It provides health, dental, and vision coverage to children who do not have insurance and do not qualify for free Medi-Cal.	888.747.1222 or 800.952.8349 (TDD)
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)	IHSS will help pay for services provided to you so that you can remain safely in your own home. To be eligible, you must be over 65 or be disabled or blind. Disabled children are also eligible. IHSS is considered an alternative to out-of-home care, such as nursing homes or board and care facilities.	NA
Medi-Cal	Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program. It provides health care coverage for more than six million low-income children and families as well as elderly, blind, or disabled individuals. People enroll in Medi-Cal through their county social services department. County agencies provide information on enrollment and eligibility for Medi-Cal, and on assistance for people with low incomes in paying for the Medicare drug benefit. To learn about eligibility; covered services; how to enroll, get help, or report problems with your coverage, visit the Medi-Cal website.	888.747.1222 or 800.952.8349 (TDD)
Medicare	A federal program that pays for certain health care expenses for people 65 and older or who are disabled. Enrolled individuals must pay deductibles and copayments, but much of their medical costs are covered by the program. The Social Security Administration provides information on enrollment and eligibility for Medicare and help paying for the Medicare drug benefit for people with low incomes. Call 800.772.1213 or 800.325.0778 (TTY) or visit the website for office locations.	800.MEDICARE (800.633.4227)

Advocacy & Counseling

Agency & Website	Provides Help With	Phone Number
BenefitsCheckUp	An online service to help people explore their drug coverage options and their eligibility for assistance with medication costs.	NA
California Department of Insurance	State agency provides information on many types of insurance, including Medicare supplement insurance or "Medigap." See their Guide to Medicare Supplement Insurance.	800.927.4357 or 800.482.4833 (TDD)
HealthCare.gov	This new site from the federal government helps consumers get tailored information on public and private health insurance plans based on their age, job status, income, and ZIP code. The site also offers information on preventive services and allows residents to apply for the new high-risk insurance pools established under the federal health reform law.	NA
Health Consumer Alliance	Health Consumer Alliance brochures and printable wallet cards provide low-income consumers important information about their health care rights.	NA
HealthCoverageGuide.org	Targets California businesses with 2 to 50 employees. The site offers tools and guidance to help small businesses decide whether health insurance is right for them, and if so, to understand which options are best for their businesses and employees. In both English and Spanish.	NA
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)	The site provides information about Medicare benefits, long term care, prescription drug benefits, Medigap supplemental insurance, and more. Volunteers provide free telephone and in-person counseling about the Medicare program and Medicare coverage options.	800.434.0222 See website for office locations.
HMO Help Center	The California Department of Managed Health Care regulates all HMOs in California and provides help with resolving problems with Medicare HMOs such as denials for care.	888.466.2219

Health Care Reform

Agency & Website	Provides Help With	Phone Number
HealthCareAndYou.org	Provides information on the federal health reform law to individuals, families, small business owners, and health care professionals. The site provides state-by-state information about the law, a timeline of implementation, and online chats on topical issues. The Health Care and You Coalition comprises leading organizations representing consumers, patients, physicians, nurses, hospitals, and pharmacists.	NA
"The Affordable Care Act: The First Year"	To learn about how the passage of health care reform might affect you, read this report from Consumers Union.	NA

Shopping for Medical Providers

Agency & Website	Provides Help With	Phone Number
CalHospitalCompare.org	Some hospitals provide better care than others. This site rates quality of care, including clinical quality, patient experience, and patient safety, for participating hospitals in California.	NA
CalQualityCare.org	Compare long term care services in California. Evaluate your needs and find health care services by city, county, or ZIP code. Detailed information on nursing homes, home health care, hospice services, congregate living health facilities, residential care, continuing care retirement communities, adult day health care, adult day care, and other long term care options.	NA
Healthcare Quality Report Card	The California Office of the Patient Advocate rates and compares the quality of California's HMOs and medical groups.	NA