Welcome to California Health Advocates
We are dedicated to Medicare advocacy and education for Californians. Our web site provides accurate, unbiased information about Medicare benefits for people who live in California, and resources for professionals working directly with California’s Medicare beneficiaries. Updated July 1, 2008
» Options for obtaining prescription drug coverage, and programs for people with low incomes.
» Basic Medicare topics such as eligibility, coverage, Medicare Advantage, Medicare and disabilities, billing and claims, and appeals.
» How Medigap — a private insurance policy — can supplement your Medicare coverage to pay for health care costs that Medicare doesn't cover.
» See our Medicare Fact Sheets…
Get help with Medicare questions
Call 1-800-434-0222 for free local help with Medicare and other health care issues.
- Medi-Cal (for people with Medicare)
- HICAP Medicare counseling
- Fact Sheets
- Extra help with Part D costs for people with low incomes
- Medicare: an overview
- Medigap: Medicare supplemental insurance
- Enrolling in Medicare Parts A and B
- Supplementing Medicare: an overview
Contributing to our work
We welcome tax-deductible contributions and sponsors to support our high quality educational events and publications.
New Website Provides One-Stop Source on California Medicare Information
May 19, 2008 In launching their new single 'full-service' website, CHA is expanding their educational and advocacy services to a much broader audience, reaching both Medicare consumers and health professionals.
Can We Stop the Proposed Cuts in Medi-Cal? Medicare and Medi-Cal Public Forum Generates Forward Motion
May 15, 2008 At a public forum organized by the California Medicare Coalition, people were informed and voiced their concerns about the Governor's proposed Medi-Cal cuts, which are part of the added $1.1 billion in cuts to health and human services the Governor released yesterday.
Telephone Scams in California Continue – Protect Your Medicare and Credit Card Info
JULY 1, 2008 Have you been offered a new Medicare card with dental, vision, and hearing aid benefits? If so, this offer may be one of the recent telephone scams being made to beneficiaries around the state and nationwide.
Is Your Pharmacy Profiting at Your Expense?
June 16, 2008 Albertsons' pharmacy division and its affiliates are being sued for violating the privacy rights of customers by illegally selling their prescription information to pharmaceutical companies.
California's Senior Medicare Patrol Project Saves Medicare $7+ Million in Fraud Claims
June 16, 2008 California's Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) project helped Medicare avoid paying over $7 million in fraudulent claims last year, which accounts for 99% of Medicare's avoided costs for all 57 SMP projects nationwide.
Technical information and specialized resources for people working directly with Medicare beneficiaries:
California Medicare Coalition
A meeting place for individuals and agencies serving and advocating on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries.
Advocacy and Policy
Recent advocacy and public policy work on behalf of California’s Medicare beneficiaries.
Recent Advocacy & policy:
Medicare Plans Still Not Accepting Best Available Evidence of LIS Eligibility
Education
Specialized training, tools and resources for consumers and advocates on important Medicare topics.