Resource Links to Other Advocacy Groups

Citizens for the Right to Know (www.rtk.org/)
Pursues basic consumer fairness in health care by requiring that insurers, health service organizations and HMOs provide patients with necessary information on coverage principles, benefits and any exclusions or restrictions.

Patient Assistance Programs/PhRMA (www.phrma.org/)
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) brings together America's pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through the appropriate public or private program.

California Health Advocates (www.cahealthadvocates.org)
Promotes the work of the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) through the provision of statewide technical training and support to local HICAP offices, social and legal services agencies and other professionals helping Californians with questions about Medicare. It also publishes the Cal Medicare website, which provides information about the Medicare program and options for covering health costs not paid by Medicare.

Health Rights Hotline (www.hrh.org)
Provides free assistance and information about health care consumer rights for residents of El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties in California.

HealthScope (www.healthscope.org)
An independent public information source provided by the Pacific Business Group on Health (PBGH) to help you select the best quality health plans, hospitals, doctors, and medical groups.

HEROIC (HMO Enrollee Regional Outreach and Information Centers) (PDF, 164KB)
The Office of the Patient Advocate provides funding to these listed consumer organizations for education, awareness and assistance to HMO enrollees in their respective communities.

Medicare (www.medicare.gov/Health/General.asp)
This website contains helpful information for getting the most out of your Medicare, and steps to safer health care.

National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) (www.ncqa.org)
Aims to allow consumers, purchasers and others to make reliable, objective comparisons amongst different types of health plans. More than half the nation's HMOs currently participate in their voluntary accreditation and certification programs.

The California Patient's Guide (www.calpatientguide.org/)
Informs you of your rights to receive quality health care and the steps you can take if you encounter problems.