Talk to Your Doctor or Your Health Plan

After his surgery, Tom got a bill from the anesthetist. “I thought it was a bill I should not have to pay. I called my health plan and they dealt with it. I had to be persistent, but it worked.”

Read Tom’s story.

Try to talk to your doctor or your doctor’s office about your problem. Many problems are solved this way.

If you do not want to talk to your doctor, or your doctor is not helping, call your plan.

Topics on this page

• Talk to your doctor
• Talk to your plan
• File a complaint with your plan

Talk to your doctor

Explain your problem. Ask

• What do you recommend?
• Can you help me?
• What should I do next?

Talk to your plan

Every plan in California has a customer/member service phone number. Look on your membership card.

• Explain your problem briefly.
• Ask for someone who can help you.
• Then, explain your problem in more detail.
• Make sure the person understands.
• Ask what will happen next and how long it will take.
• Ask for a reply in writing.

File a complaint with your plan

If talking does not solve your problem, you can file a complaint with the plan on the phone, in writing, or by e-mail.

If your problem is urgent, ask for a fast appeal. This is also called a quick resolution or expedited appeal.

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