Resource List

Note: Many of the organizations listed provide services in multiple languages. In addition, websites are often translated or include brochures and information in multiple languages. This list has been compiled for information purposes only and is not an endorsement by the Department.

Agencies that Oversee and License Providers

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Licensing & Certification
Licenses and takes complaints on hospitals, nursing homes and clinics
1-916-558-1784
www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/CEH/Pages/CLPR.aspx

Department of Consumer Affairs Boards/Bureaus
All boards under the Department of Consumer Affairs
www.dca.ca.gov/about_us/entities.shtml

Medical Board of California
Licenses and takes complaints on doctors and certain other providers
1-800-633-2322
1-916-263-0935 (TTY)
www.mbc.ca.gov

Board of Behavioral Sciences
Licenses and takes complaints on Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEP), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC), MFT Interns (IMF), Associate Clinical Social Workers (ASW) and Professional Clinical Counselor Interns (PCCI)
1-916-574-7830
1-916-574-8680 (TTY)
www.bbs.ca.gov

Board of Pharmacy
Licenses and takes complaints on pharmacists
1-916-518-3100
www.pharmacy.ca.gov

Board of Podiatric Medicine
Licenses and takes complaints on podiatrists
1-916-263-2647
www.pmbc.ca.gov/

Board of Psychology
Licenses and takes complaints on psychologists
1-916-574-7720
1-866-503-3221 (Toll Free)
www.psychology.ca.gov/

Board of Registered Nursing
Licenses and takes complaints on registered nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists and psychiatric/mental health nurses
1-916-322-3350
1-800-326-2297 (TDD)
www.rn.ca.gov

Dental Board of California
Licenses and takes complaints on dentists
1-916-263-2300
1-877-729-7789 (Toll Free)
www.dbc.ca.gov

Physical Therapy Board of California
Licenses and takes complaints on physical therapists
1-916-561-8200
1-800-326-2297 (TDD)
www.ptbc.ca.gov

Aging/Medicare

California Department of Aging
Find services available to older adults by county
1-800-510-2020
www.aging.ca.gov

California Health Advocates
Information on Medicare, Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, and financial aid for low-income seniors
1-916-231-5114
www.cahealthadvocates.org

Family Caregiver Alliance
Information and help for family caregivers
1-800-445-8106
www.caregiver.org

HICAP (California Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program)
Free information, counseling, and advocacy for people who have or will soon have Medicare, as well as caregivers.
1-800-434-0222
https://aging.ca.gov/Providers_and_Partners/Health_Insurance_Counseling_and_Advocacy_Program/

HSAG (Health Services Advisory Group) - California's Quality Improvement Organization
Help for Medicare members with complaints about quality of care concern, delays in receiving care, or being sent home from the hospital to soon
1-818-409-9229 (Glendale)
1-415-897-2400 (Burlingame)
www.hsag.com

In-Home Support Services (IHSS)
Program to help low-income aged, blind, and disabled people remain safely in their own homes
1-800-952-5253
www.cdss.ca.gov/In-Home-Supportive-Services

Justice in Aging
Advocacy for the independence and well-being of seniors with low incomes
1-213-639-0930 (Los Angeles)
1-510-663-1055 (Oakland)
http://www.justiceinaging.org/

Medicare
Official Medicare website and phone number
1-800-MEDICARE
1-877-486-2048 (TTY)
www.medicare.gov
www.medicare.gov/about-us/other-languages/information-in-other-languages.html

National Institute on Aging
Information for seniors about aging, staying healthy, and getting health care
1-800-222-2225
1-800-222-4225 (TTY)
www.nia.nih.gov

Senior Information and Referral
Information about local services for seniors, including health care, legal aid, housing, employment, home health care, and companionship
1-916-419-7500
1-800-735-2929 (TDD)
www.aging.ca.gov

Behavioral Health Resources

Autism Society of America
National organization dedicated to improving the lives of all affected by autism.
1-800-328-8476
www.autism-society.org

Autism Speaks
A national nonprofit advocacy group.
1-888-288-4762 (English)
1-888-772-9050 (Spanish)
www.autismspeaks.org

CalHHS Mental Health Resources For Youth
Offers resources and tools to help recognize and support youth mental health
https://www.chhs.ca.gov/youthresources/

CalHOPE
Offers culturally sensitive emotional support for all Californians through free outreach, crisis counseling and support services
1-833-317-HOPE (4673)
www.calhope.org

California Department of Developmental Services
California agency that provides services and support to people with developmental disabilities such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and related conditions.
1-916-654-1690
1-916-654-2054 (TTY)
www.dds.ca.gov

California Regional Centers' Directory
Provides list of twenty-one regional centers that individually coordinate services for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
1-916-654-1690
1-916-654-2054 (TTY)
www.dds.ca.gov/rc/listings/

Developmental Screening for California's Kids (sponsored by First5 California and the California Statewide Screening Collaborative)
Provides early childhood developmental screening resources, information on the First5 Early Childhood Mental Health Project and county initiatives
1-916-263-1050
www.ccfc.ca.gov/

Disability Rights California
Information on the rights of people with disabilities including mental health disabilities.
1-800-776-5746
1-800-719-5798 (TTY)
www.disabilityrightsca.org/

Early Start
A state program for infants and toddlers who have or are at risk for developmental delay or disability.
1-800-515-2229
www.dds.ca.gov/services/early-start/

Family Resource Center Network of California (FRCNCA)
Provides support for families of children with disabilities and special health care needs
1-916-993-7781
www.frcnca.org

First5 California
Provides programs and services designed to identify children with special needs and help young children grow up healthy and do well in school and in life
1-916-263-1050
www.ccfc.ca.gov

Matrix
A resource center for parents of children with special needs
1-800-578-2592
www.matrixparents.org

Mental Health America
Information, advocacy, and referrals for adults and children
1-800-969-6642
https://mhanational.org/

Mental Health America of California
Information and advocacy for people with mental health conditions
1-916-557-1167
www.mhac.org

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
An advocacy group for people with mental illness and their families
1-800-950-6264
www.nami.org

National Institute of Mental Health
Information and research on mental health treatments
1-866-615-6464
1-866-415-8051 (TTY toll-free)
www.nimh.nih.gov

SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
Federal agency with information on legislation, prevention, workplace resources, and online search for mental health services
1-877-726-4727
1-800-487-4889 (TTY)
www.samhsa.gov

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources
Call or text 988, or chat at www.988lifeline.org
www.988lifeline.org

Cultural and Linguistic Advocacy

California Black Women's Health Project
Non-profit organization committed to ​improving the health of California's Black women and girls through advocacy, education, outreach and policy
1-310-412-1828
www.cabwhp.org/resources.html

California Consortium for Urban Indian Health
Supports health, wellness, and access to culturally centered services serving Urban Indian communities across California
1-415-345-1205
www.ccuih.org

California Pan-Ethnic Health Network
Information and advocacy for health care access for people from all cultural and linguistic groups, and links to more information
1-510-832-1160
https://cpehn.org

Deaf Counseling, Advocacy and Referral Agency
Lists the Coalition of Agencies serving the deaf and hard of hearing in California
1-510-343-6670
1-877-322-7288 (TTY)
www.dcara.org

Health Consumer Alliance
Assistance finding health care and information on low-cost health care, in many languages
1-888-804-3536
1-877-735-2929 (TTY)
www.healthconsumer.org/

"I Speak" Card
This card can be used to tell a provider for which language an interpreter is needed
1-800-952-5253
www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/Forms-Brochures/Translated-Forms-and-Publications/I-Speak-Cards

Latino Coalition for a Healthy California
Advocacy for better health care for Latinos in California
1-916-448-3234
www.lchc.org

Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum
Health care advocacy and support programs to improve the health of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
1-415-954-9988
www.apiahf.org/

Diseases and Treatments—General Information

Advance Directives
Information on Advance Health Care Directives
1-800-952-5225
1-800-735-2929 (TTY)
www.oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/care

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Government agency with care guidelines for many health conditions
www.ahrq.gov/gam/index.html

American Chronic Pain Association
Information and resources for individuals living with chronic pain
1-800-533-3231
www.acpanow.com

American College of Surgeons
Information on common operations and choosing a surgeon
1-800-621-4111
www.facs.org

Clinical Trials
Information on clinical trials
www.clinicaltrials.gov

Food and Drug Administration
Information on medicines and durable medical equipment
1-888-463-6332
www.fda.gov

Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD)
Information about genetic conditions and rare diseases
1-888-205-2311
1-888-205-3223 (TTY)
https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/about

Healthfinder
Easy-to-understand health information on many topics
https://health.gov/myhealthfinder

Kids Health
Information on children's health
www.kidshealth.org

Medline Plus
Information on many health topics
www.medlineplus.gov

NIH Health Topics A - Z
Information on many diseases and health-related conditions
https://www.nih.gov/health-information

Diseases and Treatments—Specific Diseases

Alzheimer's Association
Local services, support groups, 24-hour helpline, and information for caregivers
1-800-272-3900
1-866-403-3073 (TDD)
www.alz.org

American Cancer Society
Information, supporting patients, and spreading the word about prevention
1-800-227-2345
https://www.cancer.org/

American Diabetes Association
Information, programs, and services for people with diabetes
1-800-342-2383
www.diabetes.org

American Heart Association
Information on heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and prevention
1-800-242-8721
www.heart.org

American Lung Association
Information on lung diseases, asthma, and prevention.
1-800-586-4872
www.lung.org

Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases (NIAMS)
Information about arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases
1-877-226-4267
1-301-565-2966 (TTY)
www.niams.nih.gov

California AIDS Hotline
Information on HIV/AIDS services
1-800-367-2437
1-888-225-2437 (TTY)
https://npin.cdc.gov/disease/hiv/

Cancer Information
Government agency with information on cancer treatments
1-800-422-6237
www.cancer.gov

Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Disorders
Health information, research, clinical trials, and personal stories
1-800-860-8747
1-866-569-1162 (TTY)
www.niddk.nih.gov

Finding Health Coverage

Covered California
Health coverage marketplace that provides coverage options and plan costs and enrollment in Covered California coverage
1-800-300-1506
1-888-889-4500 (TTY)
www.coveredca.com

HealthCare.gov
Information and on-line search tool to help consumers find health plans and public programs in each state
1-800-318-2596
1-855-889-4325 (TTY)
https://finder.healthcare.gov/

Health Coverage Guide
Information on health insurance for small businesses, including cost estimates, tax savings and legal issues
www.healthcoverageguide.org

Finding Low-Cost or No-Cost Health Coverage and Care

Medi-Cal
Health care program for people who qualify because of low incomes or disabilities
www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/default.aspx

Medi-Cal Access Program (MCAP)
Low-cost health program for low-income and middle-income pregnant women and their newborns
1-800-433-2611
www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/eligibility/MCAP/Pages/Medi-CalAccessProgram.aspx

California Children's Services (CCS)
A statewide program that provides health care services for children with certain disabilities and health conditions.
www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/ccs/Pages/default.aspx

County Medical Services Program (CMSP)
Health care for low-income adults in 35 California counties
1-916-649-2631
www.cmspcounties.org

Health Consumer Alliance
Consumer assistance programs to help people with low incomes get the health care they need
1-888-804-3536
1-877-735-2929 (TTY)
www.healthconsumer.org/

Local Health Services/Offices
A list of local county health departments to call about no-cost and low-cost health care
1-916-558-1784
www.cdph.ca.gov/pages/localhealthservicesandoffices.aspx

Medicine Assistance Tool
Help for patients who do not have prescription drug coverage
1-571-350-8643
medicineassistancetool.org

Health Care Consumer Assistance

Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) Help Center
Assistance for health plan enrollees including access, health coverage and health plan grievances and appeals
1-888-466-2219
1-877-688-9891 (TDD)
www.Healthhelp.ca.gov

California Department of Insurance
Assistance with health insurance problems for non-managed care plans
1-800-927-4357
1-800-482-4833 (TTY)
www.insurance.ca.gov

Health Consumer Alliance
DMHC consumer assistance program contractor helps people get the health care they need
1-888-804-3536
1-877-735-2929 (TTY)
www.healthconsumer.org/

HICAP (California Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program)
Information, counseling, and assistance for people who have or will soon have Medicare
1-800-434-0222
https://aging.ca.gov/Providers_and_Partners/Health_Insurance_Counseling_and_Advocacy_Program/

Medi-Cal Managed Care Ombudsman
Assistance for people enrolling in or changing Medi-Cal managed care plans
1-888-452-8609
www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/MMCDOfficeoftheOmbudsman.aspx

Medi-Cal Mental Health Care Ombudsman
Help with Medi-Cal mental health care services
1-888-452-8609
1-800-896-4042
www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/MH/Pages/MH-Ombudsman.aspx

Information for People with Disabilities

California Foundation for Independent Living Centers
Resources for people with disabilities
1-916-325-1690
1-916-325-1695 (TTY)
www.cfilc.org

California Health Advocates
Information on Medicare, Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, and financial aid for Medicare members
1-916-231-5110
www.cahealthadvocates.org

Deaf Counseling, Advocacy and Referral Agency
Lists the Coalition of Agencies serving the deaf and hard of hearing in California
1-510-343-6670
1-877-322-7288 (TTY)
www.dcara.org

Department of Developmental Services Early Start Program
Providing services for children 0-3 with disabilities and their families
1-800-515-BABY (1-800-515-2229)
https://www.dds.ca.gov/services/early-start/

Department of Rehabilitation
Provides independent living and job support services to people with disabilities
1-800-952-5544
www.dor.ca.gov

Disability Rights California
Legal information and assistance for people with disabilities
1-800-776-5746
1-800-719-5798 (TTY)
www.disabilityrightsca.org

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF)
A national law and policy center to help people with disabilities
1-510-644-2555
1-510-841-8645 (TTY)
www.dredf.org

Disability Rights Legal Center
Legal aid and referrals for people with disabilities, including a Cancer Legal Resource Center, a Children's Benefits Access Guide, and other resources
1-866-999-3752
https://thedrlc.org/

Family Resource Center Network of California (FRCNCA)
Find your local center, which provides support for families of children with disabilities and special health care needs
1-916-993-7781
www.frcnca.org

Family Voices
Health care advocacy for children with disabilities
1-888-835-5669
www.familyvoices.org

In Home Support Services (IHSS)
Program to help low-income aged, blind, and disabled people remain safely in their own homes
1-800-952-5253
www.cdss.ca.gov/In-Home-Supportive-Services

Information on Health Care Quality

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Tools to help people make more informed decisions and get safer health care
1-310-427-1104
www.ahrq.gov

Center for Data Insights & Innovation (formerly California Office of the Patient Advocate)
Report cards on the quality of California health plans.
https://www.opa.ca.gov/reportcards/

California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) Plan Surveys
Health plan surveys conducted by the DMHC to make sure that health plans meet quality and medical standards
www.dmhc.ca.gov/LicensingReporting/HealthPlanComplianceMedicalSurvey.aspx

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
Information on health care standards
1-630-792-5800
www.jointcommission.org

National Committee for Quality Assurance
Information on quality health care and health plan standards
1-888-275-7585
www.ncqa.org

Keep Your Health Coverage (Federal COBRA, Cal-COBRA, HIPAA)

These are a variety of ways to keep your health coverage if you lose your job-based coverage

More information on Federal COBRA and Cal-COBRA

More information on HIPAA

California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) Help Center
Assistance for California managed care health plan members, with information on COBRA, Cal-COBRA or HIPAA
1-888-466-2219
1-877-688-9891 (TDD)
www.healthhelp.ca.gov

California Department of Insurance
Assistance for California health insurance members, with information on COBRA or Cal-COBRA
1-800-927-4357
1-800-482-4833 (TTY)
www.insurance.ca.gov/

U.S. Department of Labor COBRA
Information on the federal COBRA program to help you keep group health plan if you lose your job or your hours are cut
1-866-487-2365
1-877-889-5627 (TTY)
https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/health-plans/cobra

U.S. Department of Labor HIPAA
Information on your federal HIPAA rights to buy or keep health insurance
1-866-487-2365
1-877-889-5627 (TTY)
https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/health-plans/portability

Medi-Cal

Medi-Cal
Health care program for people who qualify because of low incomes, or disabilities
www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/default.aspx

Health Care Options
Help with enrolling in, changing or leaving a Medi-Cal health plan
1-800-430-4263
1-800-430-7077 (TTY)
www.healthcareoptions.dhcs.ca.gov/

Medi-Cal Managed Care Ombudsman
Get help if you have a problem you cannot solve with your Medi-Cal managed care health plan
1-888-452-8609
www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/MMCDOfficeoftheOmbudsman.aspx

Medi-Cal Mental Health Care Ombudsman
Help with Medi-Cal mental health care services
1-888-452-8609
1-800-896-4042
www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/MH/Pages/MH-Ombudsman.aspx

Medi-Cal State Fair Hearing
File an appeal if your Medi-Cal health plan denies you the services you need
1-800-952-5253
1-800-952-8349 (TDD)
www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/Medi-CalFairHearing.aspx

 

Pregnancy Care

Medi-Cal Access Program (MCAP)
Low-cost health program for low-income and middle-income pregnant women and their newborns
1-800-433-2611
www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/eligibility/MCAP/Pages/Medi-CalAccessProgram.aspx

KidsHealth
Information on children's health
www.kidshealth.org

Premium Rate Review

California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) Rate Filings
Search health plan rate filings reviewed by the DMHC
1-888-466-2219
1-877-688-9891 (TDD)
RateReview.DMHC.ca.gov

California Department of Insurance (CDI) Rate Filings
Search health insurance rate filings reviewed by the CDI

1-800-927-4357 (Consumer Hotline)
1-800-967-9331 (Licensing Hotline)
1-800-482-4833 (TTY)
www.insurance.ca.gov/0250-insurers/0800-rate-filings/0100-rate-filing-lists/rate-filing-approvals/index.cfm

California's Health Benefit Exchange, Covered California
Health coverage marketplace that provides you with coverage options and plan costs
(800) 300-1506
(888) 889-4500 (TTY)
www.coveredca.com

Preventive Care

Agency for Health Research and Quality
Government agency with Personal Health Guides to routine care
1-310-427-1104
www.ahrq.gov

California Dental Association
Information about oral health and an online search to find a dentist or a dental clinic that provides free or low-cost dental services
1-800-232-7645
www.cda.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/ National Immunization Hotline
Guide to vaccines for children and adults, and other information on prevention
1-800-232-4636
1-888-232-6348 (TTY)
www.cdc.gov/vaccines

Kick It California (formerly California Smokers' Helpline)
Telephone and online help to stop smoking.
1-800-300-8086
www.kickitca.org/

National Institute on Drug Abuse
Information for health professionals, parents, teachers, students, and young adults
1-301-443-1124
https://www.drugabuse.gov/​

HealthCare.gov
Federal health care reform website, with lists of preventive care services that health plans must cover with no out-of-pocket cost to patients
1-800-318-2596
1-855-889-4325 (TTY)
https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/preventive-care-benefits/

Kids Health
Information on children's health
www.kidshealth.org

Healthy Weight and Body Mass Index
Information on assessing healthy weight and chart to check Body Mass Index (BMI)
1-800-232-4636
1-888-232-6348 (TTY)
www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/index.html