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UCD Medical Center wins ruling against Sacramento County

July 14, 2010 | posted by richard

Sacramento Superior Court Judge Lloyd Connelly ruled that the county has a duty to provide for emergency medical care for the indigent. The judge, however, stopped short of saying how much the county owes UC Davis.   Read more in the Sac Bee article by Robert Lewis.

Economy Hurts Government Aid for H.I.V. Drugs

July 1, 2010 | posted by richard

The weak economy is crippling the government program that provides life-sustaining antiretroviral drugs to people with H.I.V. or AIDS who cannot afford them.  Read the New York Times article.

State Begins Taking Names for High-Risk Health Insurance Pool

June 30, 2010 | posted by richard

California’s Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board has started accepting names of people with pre-existing conditions who are interested in applying for a new high-risk health insurance pool that will be funded by the federal government and run by the state, the Sacramento Bee reports.

High court won’t review San Francisco universal health care plan

June 29, 2010 | posted by richard

The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected a business-led challenge to a universal health care program in San Francisco that has enrolled more than 53,000 people who lacked health insurance.  Read the Associated Press article by JULIANA BARBASSA.

Racial Disparities in Specialty Mental Health Services Programs

June 28, 2010 | posted by richard

Minority patients in need of mental health services face unique challenges in seeking such services.   Legal Services of Northern California has identified such disparities in the County mental health program.

Lack of Dental Benefits Creating Challenges for California Residents

June 28, 2010 | posted by richard

Millions of California adults lack dental insurance because of job losses or insufficient access to dental benefits, the Sacramento Bee reports.

Health care would take huge hit, officials say

June 28, 2010 | posted by richard

It was another afternoon of bad news and grim testimony Tuesday before the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, who are staring at a $122 million budget deficit for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

COBRA subsidies expired as of June 1, 2010

June 28, 2010 | posted by richard
The COBRA subsidies expired as of June 1, 2010. This means that workers who lose jobs on or after this date will not be eligible for the 65% subsidy for the COBRA monthly premiums.
Congress is working on a legislative fix, but its unclear yet whether it will be approved. If lawmakers choose not to extend the Cobra subsidy, the only people who could claim those subsidies for 15 months are those who were laid off between Sept. 2008 and May 31,2010.

Doughnut hole’ Medicare drug rebates start going to seniors soon

June 28, 2010 | posted by richard

“Seniors do not have to do anything to get this check. They don’t have to sign anything. They don’t have to apply for it,” Sebelius said, warning recipients not to be fooled by scam artists seeking personal information by claiming it is necessary to process rebates. LA Times article.

New Medi-Cal Service Center

June 4, 2010 | posted by richard

The Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance will be opening a Medi-Cal Service Center on Thursday, June 24, 2010. The Service Center will provide customer service for existing Medi-Cal clients. If you know of someone who is already on Medi-Cal, they will not have to come to the Medi-Cal Office to ask a question or update information on their case anymore. They will just need to call the Medi-Cal Service Center with all their Medi-Cal needs. Staff answering the Medi-Cal Service Center line can help them immediately. The Medi-Cal Service Center numbers are 916-874-3100 or 209-744-0499. The numbers will be active beginning June 24.

Persons applying for Medi-Cal should call our Medi-Cal application line at 916-874-2215.

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Independent assistance for health care consumers

The Health Rights Hotline provides free assistance and information about your rights in health care. We serve residents of El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties in California.

The Health Rights Hotline helps people take charge of their health care. Part of taking charge involves understanding your health care rights. This site provides some general information about your rights as a health care consumer. Although the information presented is based on California law, it may still be useful even if you live in another area.

FAQs about health care rights

I have a hospital bill and cannot afford to pay it. What can I do?

My medical bill seems really expensive for the service that I received. Can I request a more detailed bill explaining the charges?

What is the difference between Medicare and Medi-Cal? How do I know which one that I have?

How does prescription drug coverage work when I have Medi-Cal and Medicare?

I heard that Medi-Cal does not cover dental services anymore. Where can I get dental care?

I have Medi-Cal with a share-of-cost. How do I meet or reduce my share-of-cost?

I am not satisfied with my doctor. Can I change to a new one?

Can I get copies of my medical records?

I disagree with a medical note or comment that my doctor put in my medical file. How do I contest it?

Do I have a right to an interpreter if my doctor does not speak my language?