Patient Rights Assistance

The program provides health-related advocacy, information and referral, and legal services for low-income Los Angeles County residents through the Health Consumer Center of Los Angeles project. There are no geographic restrictions.

 The project, helps people who experience difficulty in obtaining health benefits and uurance such as Medi-Cal, Medicare, Covered California and private health uurance. The Health Consumer Center also provides advocacy related to In-Home Supportive services from intake to representation. Services include advocacy at DPSS or state agencies; forms assistance; health uurance and Medicare counseling; legal representation, including accompaniment and/or representation in appeals including state fair hearings and/or compliance complaints. Additionally, the program will advocate on behalf of clients with outstanding medical bills including negotiation, identification of any relevant programs that the individual might qualify for and/or representation in a state case. A target population for these cases includes helping people prevent homelessness through elimination or reduction of the debt.  

The program provides health-related specialized information and referral which includes information about health care programs for low-income people, and advocacy to help people obtain needed services. 

It promotes awareness of health care rights through outreach to low-income communities.