Health Care and Coverage

The Consumer Center for Health Education and Advocacy (CCHEA) helps people get and maintain health care coverage.  

We can help you:

• Understand your health coverage options, whether you qualify for Medi-Cal, Covered California, Medicare, Cal MediConnect or Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans, Hospital Financial Assistance, and other coverage options.
• Review your current Medi-Cal coverage and determine if you’ve been placed into the correct program. If you have Medi-Cal with an unaffordable share of cost, we can explore whether any alternatives are available. 
• Access tax credits and subsidies to help pay for Covered California health insurance coverage.
• Understand the appeals process if you are denied or discontinued from your health coverage program. We can investigate your case for potential representation in an appeal.
• Resolve problems accessing needed care or medications from your plan or coverage, whether from government health coverage programs or private insurance plans. We also serve as the state’s Cal MediConnect Ombudsman.
• Obtaining denied or delayed services, medical equipment, and supplies. For example, if you need a wheelchair but your plan denies the request, we can help investigate the denial, advise you on your appeal rights, and potentially represent you in your appeal. 
• Appeal discontinued or terminated services you were receiving.
• Dispute inappropriate and illegal billing for services that were covered or should have been covered. We provide advice and advocacy on hospital financial assistance and charity care cases.
• Escalate concerns or complaints about the quality of the services you are receiving, including advice on filing complaints with plans and the Department of Managed Health Care Help Center.